Today is voter registration deadline

Today is the deadline to register to vote in the May 19 special elections -- including one on a package of statewide measures aimed at easing California's budget crisis.

Voter registration forms are available at more than 1,240 locations in Los Angeles County, according to Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan. These include DMV offices, public libraries, fire stations, post offices, welfare offices and city clerk offices. 

An online registration form also is available at www.lavote.net by clicking on the Secretary of State link. There also is a voter registration request line, (800) 481-VOTE (8683). 

Voters who wish to cast their ballots by mail instead of going to a polling place have until May 12 to request vote-by-mail ballots. Such ballot applications are on the back of each sample ballot mailed to voters. They also are available at the county registrar-recorder's headquarters,12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk; online at www.lavote.net (click on Apply for Vote by Mail Ballot), or by writing to: Registrar-Recorder, Vote by Mail Section, P.O. Box 30450, Los Angeles, CA 90030.

In addition to the statewide ballot measures, there are special elections in the 32nd Congressional District to fill the seat vacated by now-Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and in the 26th State Senate District to replace now-L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. 

There also are runoffs for Los Angeles city attorney and for the 5th District City Council seat, as well as for two seats on the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees. The city of Palmdale will ask its voters to choose someone to fill a vacant City Council seat and decide two local measures, one on taxes and the other regarding term limits for elected officials. 

-- Jean Merl