TORRANCE TRIBUNE November 1, 2012 Page 7 TerriAnn in Torrance Voting With One Voice By TerriAnn Ferren their ballot is fascinating. Greeks voted using the very bottom of the ballot. Government classes come to City Council In 1920 the 19th Amendment to the United shells, and warriors in Germanic tribes lifted Our City Clerk assists the County of Los meetings, but how much more would they States Constitution guaranteed women the right up their spears (that I can visualize), and Angeles in various ways. “Halloween, we will know if they could ask the person in charge to vote and although I wasn’t a suffragette, in The Bible the Apostles voted by casting be in the Toyota Meeting Hall holding a poll of the voting in our city questions? Sue told I am grateful to those brave women who lots to fill the vacancy created by Judas worker training meeting,” said Sue. Everyone me, “The teachers are very active and will fought so long and hard for my right to vote. (Acts:1:26). It was quite common during is given the opportunity to participate in register the voters. I love working with all Maybe that is why I have taken each election the American Colonial period to use corn or working at the polls. Poll workers are paid the government students that come to City very seriously ever since I have been able beans for voting and even after paper ballots a nominal sum and asked to perform simple Council meetings.” to vote. Our history is filled with laws and were being used, the states of Kentucky tasks. This is democracy in action. The County The City of Torrance website is filled with amendments that protect and ensure every and Virginia allowed “voice vote” as late of Los Angeles issues supplies for voting. all the information you need about voting, citizen of the United States an opportunity as 1890. I find it interesting to note that the Sue did say, “You can always call the poll the voting process and the history and duties to vote. In the fourth grade, I remember my first paper ballot in America was used in workers and put your name on that list to of the City Clerk. Just check out www. teacher telling the class how important it was Salem, Massachusetts in 1629 at a church. be a poll worker. We would be delighted to torranceca.gov and click on “City Clerk” or to vote and that stuck with me. And when I I decided to meet with someone who would have you. I just made an announcement at check out www.lavote.net. was finally able to mark my first ballot, I felt hopefully be able to answer all my questions the last City Council meeting because they Think your vote doesn’t count? Think one that I was now part of a very special process. about voting. That someone is Torrance City are looking for bilingual poll workers…they little vote can’t make a difference? Well, On Tuesday, November 6, 2012 we have Clerk Sue Herbers. She was gracious enough are looking for 23 Korean and 26 Chinese it can. According to the City Clerk, local the privilege of voting in a secret ballot to open her office and share her years of speakers, so I reached out to some of the elections are often decided by a handful of for President and Vice President of the knowledge with me about her history with Chinese speakers I know we had in the votes. The next local election will be on June United States, Senator, Representative, voting. The duties of the City Clerk are community and the Korean speaking citizens 3, 2014 where we, the citizens of Torrance, Assemblymember and District Attorney, and listed under the Torrace City Charter. “I and asked them if they would be willing in will be voting for Mayor, three City Council to vote yes or no on several State measures. am in charge of all of the city’s elections,” sharing this information in the community-- members, City Clerk, and City Treasurer. It is a full ballot and I am confident everyone said Sue. So the presidential primary, the and I have had a good response back to me.” This “big” election comes every four years. is poring over the literature to become an gubernatorial primary, the presidential election You can put your name on the list by going In 2016, there will be a municipal election informed voter. You probably received your and the general election are all handled by to the website www.lavote.net. for three Council seats. At this time, the City Official Sample Ballot along with the Voter the County of Los Angeles. Currently, the Sue Herbers has been City Clerk for the may place ballot measures on the list. You Information Guide as I did a few weeks City of Torrance has its elections on the City of Torrance for 18 years organizing our can check out all the ballot measures on the ago. Honestly, I haven’t tackled my in-depth same day as the presidential primary and 84 voting precincts. I asked her what advice City website under “City Clerk, History.” proposition studying yet, but I will dive into the gubernatorial primary. The City Clerk she would have for the first-time voter and There is a huge volume of interesting history the particulars very soon. reminded me that because we vote on the she told me that she would recommend the available on-line. “My job is basically to The history of voting and how people cast same day as the other elections, we are on websites of the Secretary of State or the educate people as to what we do in the City Los Angeles County website where you can because we have a really great city and there register on-line. Applications are validated are so many opportunities to be part of it and with the DMV information and they get your it is a very well-run city. And if you want signature off the motor vehicles data. This type to know what is going on, you have to get of on-line registration just began this year. involved. It is simple as that. Get involved,” Voters alternately may visit the City Clerk’s said Sue. office and pick up the voter registration form There is a lot of information out there there or at any Torrance library. Forms are this hot voting season and we have been also available at the post office. You must bombarded with television and radio ads, but re-register if you move, change your name, remember you can make sense of it all by want to change your party affiliation, etc. studying and asking questions. Get involved, You also may register as “no preference.” as our City Clerk said. She has saved every Sue informed me that parties are only listed voting stub from every election since the as viable if they keep a certain number of early ‘80s. Great idea, Sue! members. In other words, if a person started Circle the date, vote and exercise your a party with only one member it would not right to speak out and be counted. Polls are be able to be listed as an official party. open Tuesday morning, November 6, 2012 I asked Sue if she has ever gone to schools starting at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. Find to speak about voting and the voting process your polling place by calling 800-815-2666 and she said not as yet. Frankly, it seems or 562-466-1323, or accessing www.lavote. to me that Torrance’s City Clerk has a net. Get out there and vote! We women have treasure trove of information that would be only had the right to vote for 92 years, so very interesting to students in high school everyone get out there and vote for this is City of Torrance City Clerk, Sue Herbers holding her stack of voting stubs. Photo by TerriAnn Ferren. as they prepare to vote for the first time. a very special privilege! • Torrance Ends Centennial Birthday Celebration with Birthday Bash The City of Torrance Birthday Bash took place last Sunday under beautiful summer-like skies at Wilson Park. The festivities included community stage performances, vendor booths and presentations from Torrance VIPs. This event capped a year-long celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the City of Torrance. Photos by Charlene Nishimura. Some of the many volunteers who made the Centennial events happen throughout the year Kurt Weideman from the Torrance Historical Society and Theresa Torrance Rose Float Association’s Sharon Tate, Lynn Robinson Junior Girl Scout Troop #5785 from the Riviera Elementary School in Torrance get ready to lead the presentation of colors Stanberry of Stanberry Laundry Co. and Jan Staws.
Torrance 11.01.12
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