Two La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) members who challenged the group’s March election results because two men passed out lists of recommended candidates failed to attend a special meeting Tuesday, but the election subcommittee decided the results were valid.
Alice Perricone and Phil Merten both challenged the La Jolla planning group’s election results after Bob Collins and Keith Kelman handed yellow fliers to voters, listing candidates who are against paid parking. The two men called themselves Save Our Village, and all the candidates they recommended won.
Because of previous election debacles, the LJCPA specified certain campaigning restrictions in its bylaws, including a restriction against campaigning within 200 feet of a polling place and a guideline advising members not to distribute slates of candidates. During the April 1 special election subcommittee meeting, members, citizens, deputy city attorney Alex Sachs and the board scoured regulations, then concluded they would uphold the election results.
“There was a direct correlation between slates and the results,” said Lance Peto, chair of the LJCPA election subcommittee. “And they were handed out within 200 feet.”
But after much collaboration between Sachs, the board and members regarding the First Amendment, which Sachs said allows people freedom on public sidewalks, the board acquiesced about their 200 foot bylaw, which some said was unreasonable because the standard in elections is 100 feet.
Then the group addressed the slates. Member Ed Ward read the definition of a slate from a city election handbook and said Save Our Village passed out letters of recommendation. A slate differs, according to the handbook, because it gives the voter the impression that there is no single vote but one vote is a vote for all the candidates, he said. In addition to Save Our Village, two e-mails recommending candidates were sent to members.
“The CPA did not endorse any of these individuals,” said Darcy Ashley, LJCPA election subcommittee member.
After discussing the matter, the board passed a motion, 4-0 to uphold the election results and reject the challenges.
The next LJCPA meeting, scheduled for this evening, April 3, at 6 p.m., will be held at La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. For more information, visit www.lajollacpa.org.