We're sorry...

The County of Orange has officially apologized for setting the special election for Congress on Rosh Hashana according to the OC Register late breaking story this morning.  It also looks like the county is sending Rodermund (Registrar on leave) up the river for his crimes of horology.

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Wednesday, August 31, 2005 O.C. apologizes to Jewish community

The Registrar of Voters office has scheduled the primary election for the 48th Congressional District on Rosh Hashana.

City News Service

SANTA ANA – An Orange County election official is to issue a "heartfelt" public apology to the Jewish community today for a scheduling decision that resulted in a congressional primary falling on the first day of Rosh Hashana.

At an afternoon news conference in Santa Ana, Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley also is expected to provide information on alternative voting methods, including absentee balloting and early voting.

"On behalf of the Orange County Registrar of Voters Department, I would like to extend a sincere apology to the entire Jewish community of Orange County," Kelley said in a written statement released before the news conference.

"Suggesting to the governor that the primary for the 48th Congressional District be held on Oct. 4, Rosh Hashana, was an error," he said. "Before making a recommendation, the county should have sought the guidance of the Jewish community."

Rosh Hashana, marking the Jewish new year, is one of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar – a day on which observant Jews shun any work or official transaction.

Voters will choose a replacement for former Rep. Christopher Cox, who resigned to become chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California expressed its concern over the conflicting dates in a letter to the registrar earlier this week.

Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, said the scheduling places a burden on Jewish voters and means that "a portion of Orange County will be denied the right to vote at the polls on Election Day."

To avoid litigation, the registrar must give written assurance that early voting will be made available, ACLU attorney Hector Villagra wrote.

Officials planning to attend this afternoon's news conference include, besides Kelley, Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell and Jodi Greenbaum, president of the Jewish Federation of Orange County.

Last week, Orange County Registrar of Voters Steve Rodermund was placed on administrative leave. No official reason was given, but county spokeswoman Diane Thomas told The Orange County Register that the scheduling conflict was not the reason. Kelley was named as Rodermund's replacement during his absence.

County Executive Officer Thomas Mauk said the issue is a personnel matter.

Comments

[Bruce Matthias]

(Sigh) Just when you thought you had seen it all. . .

Hey, how's this for a different look at this situation? Let's ask Dave Gilliard (he's a savvy guy) if he had any plans to target his appeals on behalf of Senator Campbell to the Jewish community of the 48th any differently in light of the holiday election. If he says he did plan a unique appeal due to the election date, then the ACLU has a point. But if he did not plan anything unique for our Jewish brothers and sisters, well then the ACLU is up to their usual tricks.

Anyone want to wager on Dave's answer?

So why did he get suspended?

My understanding, from sources at the County, is that Mr. Rodermund's leave is COMPLETELY unrelated to the Rosh Hashana issue.
It is a personnel matter that was discussed prior the the scheduling of the election.
Though the timing looks suspicious, I believe that this time it is not.
Everyone, though, remains tight-lipped about the details of the personnel matter.

[Santa]

Can we move the election to Christmas so I can have something to complain about.