latimes--2020-11-03--Lopez: How could a race for U.S. president come down to a referendum on masks?

We were walking toward each other on a narrow sidewalk in Boyle Heights on election eve , when the young woman stopped , stepped out of the way , and waited for me to pass .
Well that was awfully polite of her , I thought .
She must be showing deference to a gray-bearded pensioner on his way to a medical appointment .
Then I realized it was something else .
She was masked , and I ’ d gotten out of my car with mask in hand , but forgot to put it on .
She stepped away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and playing it safe , which puts her squarely on one side of the national divide .
Consider the mask : a simply constructed , cheap piece of fabric with ear loops .
Who could have dreamed it would play a role in the outcome of a presidential election ?
“ You have to wear a mask here or they don ’ t let you in , ” said Irma , a medical assistant who drew my blood , ran an EKG test and checked my blood pressure at USC Keck Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of long-delayed medical visits , trying to get my health in check before hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed , as some predict they will be , by surging cases of COVID-19 .
Irma told me she requires her two kids to wear masks outdoors and said it bothers her that some people defiantly resist face coverings , even if it means front-line medical workers like her are at greater risk because of it .
“ It ’ s insane , ” said Irma .
“ The whole world seems crazy right now.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ review my charts didn ’ t hesitate when I asked her why so many people have resisted wearing masks .
“ Knowledge deficit , ” said Sherry , an RN , and she said it matter-of-factly .
To her , the benefits of masks are clear , and one piece of evidence that people haven ’ t gotten that message is that so many have attended large gatherings without masks — including rallies for President Trump — and later gotten sick or died .
Trump , who hasn ’ t worn a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a super-spreader hot spot and being hospitalized with COVID-19 , has referred to public health experts as idiots , and said he might soon give Dr. Anthony Fauci the ax .
“ I ’ m pretty sure Dr. Fauci has more knowledge about the virus than the president , ” said Sherry .
No doubt , but as Irma put it , the world has gone mad , or at least the United States has .
We ’ ve gone from superpower to backwater , with medical advice dismissed and scientific research mocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starters .
We teach our youngsters not to call people names , not to mock , not to be selfish and not to lie .
And then we elect a president who not only models all of those things and makes bigots feel pretty good about themselves , but is admired by roughly half the nation ’ s voters because of it .
Are we idiotic enough to elect him again ?
As I write on Tuesday , that ’ s not clear , and it may not be by the time you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never thought I ’ d see an electorate so sharply divided , or a president so militantly provocative , that we ’ d be boarding up commercial districts from California to Washington , D.C. on election eve .
Trump promised a higher and better wall four years ago and he ’ s finally delivered ; we just didn ’ t know it would be built around the White House .
The division exists even in solidly blue California .
Huntington Beach became one of the nation ’ s first capitals of resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open the doors of commerce , even as bodies piled up .
And in Redding , the resistance to sound medical advice endures , led by the Bethel Church , whose pastors are fans of Trump .
But as my colleagues Hailey Branson-Potts and Anita Chabria reported , the church was such a virus spreader , businesses in town were forced to scale back operations to stem the surge of new infections .
“ In recent weeks , ” said the story , “ more than 300 COVID-19 cases have been reported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supernatural Ministry ( or BSSM ) , an unaccredited school focused on prophecy and miracles .
It has been the largest cluster of cases in Shasta County.
” Shasta officials blamed the surge on “ crowded living conditions for students and leadership publicly questioning the effectiveness of masks.
” If you can ’ t see that not wearing masks in the middle of a deadly pandemic could get someone sick or even killed , it ’ s possible that prophecy might not be your school ’ s strong suit .
I buy my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they run about three for a dollar .
I know they don ’ t offer full protection for me or anyone I come close to , but they might help protect others , including healthcare workers whose lives are on the line , and it ’ s a small price to pay and no more than a minor inconvenience to wear them .
And of course I also social distance and avoid gatherings .
It ’ s alarming to me that the race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was such a cliffhanger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think it would have been nearly as close if Trump had been big enough to quit the tough-guy act for a while and behave like any competent leader and decent grownup would have .
All he had to do was say that the virus was too serious to be taken lightly , and that if we acted collectively to distance ourselves and wear masks , we ’ d likely be able to accelerate a smartly planned , phased reopening of schools and businesses .
So much suffering could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have taken such a beating .
And Trump would likely have sealed his victory .
If Trump loses , his bluster and stubbornness will finally have done him in .
I wonder if he ’ ll regret not showing a little humility .
But that would probably take a Bethel Church miracle .
If he wins , God help us .

Ken Dugan wears a mask while voting at the San Marcos Civic Center with his 5-month-old son, Jett, riding in a carrier on his chest.
We were walking toward each other on a narrow sidewalk in Boyle Heights on election eve, when the young woman stopped, stepped out of the way, and waited for me to pass.
Well that was awfully polite of her, I thought. She must be showing deference to a gray-bearded pensioner on his way to a medical appointment.
Then I realized it was something else. She was masked, and I’d gotten out of my car with mask in hand, but forgot to put it on. She stepped away because she was steering clear of me and playing it safe, which puts her squarely on one side of the national divide.
Advertisement
Consider the mask: a simply constructed, cheap piece of fabric with ear loops.
Who could have dreamed it would play a role in the outcome of a presidential election?
“You have to wear a mask here or they don’t let you in,” said Irma, a medical assistant who drew my blood, ran an EKG test and checked my blood pressure at USC Keck Medical Center.
Lately I’ve been taking care of long-delayed medical visits, trying to get my health in check before hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed, as some predict they will be, by surging cases of COVID-19.
Irma told me she requires her two kids to wear masks outdoors and said it bothers her that some people defiantly resist face coverings, even if it means front-line medical workers like her are at greater risk because of it.
“It’s insane,” said Irma. “The whole world seems crazy right now.”
Advertisement
The nurse who popped in to review my charts didn’t hesitate when I asked her why so many people have resisted wearing masks.
“Knowledge deficit,” said Sherry, an RN, and she said it matter-of-factly.
To her, the benefits of masks are clear, and one piece of evidence that people haven’t gotten that message is that so many have attended large gatherings without masks — including rallies for President Trump — and later gotten sick or died. Trump, who hasn’t worn a mask even after turning the White House into a super-spreader hot spot and being hospitalized with COVID-19, has referred to public health experts as idiots, and said he might soon give Dr. Anthony Fauci the ax.
“I’m pretty sure Dr. Fauci has more knowledge about the virus than the president,” said Sherry.
No doubt, but as Irma put it, the world has gone mad, or at least the United States has. We’ve gone from superpower to backwater, with medical advice dismissed and scientific research mocked, and that’s just for starters.
We teach our youngsters not to call people names, not to mock, not to be selfish and not to lie. And then we elect a president who not only models all of those things and makes bigots feel pretty good about themselves, but is admired by roughly half the nation’s voters because of it. Are we idiotic enough to elect him again? As I write on Tuesday, that’s not clear, and it may not be by the time you’re reading this, either.
I never thought I’d see an electorate so sharply divided, or a president so militantly provocative, that we’d be boarding up commercial districts from California to Washington, D.C. on election eve. Trump promised a higher and better wall four years ago and he’s finally delivered; we just didn’t know it would be built around the White House.
The division exists even in solidly blue California. Huntington Beach became one of the nation’s first capitals of resistance to masks and of demands to throw open the doors of commerce, even as bodies piled up.
And in Redding, the resistance to sound medical advice endures, led by the Bethel Church, whose pastors are fans of Trump. But as my colleagues Hailey Branson-Potts and Anita Chabria reported, the church was such a virus spreader, businesses in town were forced to scale back operations to stem the surge of new infections.
“In recent weeks,” said the story, “more than 300 COVID-19 cases have been reported by the church and its Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (or BSSM), an unaccredited school focused on prophecy and miracles. It has been the largest cluster of cases in Shasta County.”
Shasta officials blamed the surge on “crowded living conditions for students and leadership publicly questioning the effectiveness of masks.”
If you can’t see that not wearing masks in the middle of a deadly pandemic could get someone sick or even killed, it’s possible that prophecy might not be your school’s strong suit.
I buy my masks in boxes of 50, and they run about three for a dollar. I know they don’t offer full protection for me or anyone I come close to, but they might help protect others, including healthcare workers whose lives are on the line, and it’s a small price to pay and no more than a minor inconvenience to wear them. And of course I also social distance and avoid gatherings.
It’s alarming to me that the race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden was such a cliffhanger right up to the end, but I don’t think it would have been nearly as close if Trump had been big enough to quit the tough-guy act for a while and behave like any competent leader and decent grownup would have.
All he had to do was say that the virus was too serious to be taken lightly, and that if we acted collectively to distance ourselves and wear masks, we’d likely be able to accelerate a smartly planned, phased reopening of schools and businesses. So much suffering could have been avoided, and the economy wouldn’t have taken such a beating. And Trump would likely have sealed his victory.
If Trump loses, his bluster and stubbornness will finally have done him in. I wonder if he’ll regret not showing a little humility. But that would probably take a Bethel Church miracle.
If he wins, God help us.
Steve.lopez@latimes.com


latimes--2020-11-03--Mariachi bands and YouTube celebs: Voting at Dodger Stadium on election day

Their reasons for coming to Dodger Stadium varied from making sure their vote would count to casting a ballot at a highly Instagrammable polling place .
Of course , on the final day of anything , procrastination is a factor .
Then , there was the spectacle .
And for that , the venue did not disappoint on election day .
A mariachi band was playing in front of a disaster relief group handing out free food when two bare-cheeked streakers in American flag jock straps ran up , trailing their own camera crew .
They were there to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the blond surfer dude , put it .
“ What ’ s up , 949 ?
” said the other dude , J.T .
Parr .
Kroeber ’ s real name is Tom Allen , and Parr is John Parr .
The two are West Hollywood comedians who have become YouTube celebrities for their alter egos ’ antics , which include handing out free face masks in Huntington Beach and advocating for house parties at L.A. City Council meetings .
The dudes first had to run a security gauntlet , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were eventually allowed to approach the polling area , where they were greeted with laughter , applause and a sea of camera phones .
“ This is … L.A. !
” Allen exclaimed , using an expletive .
She declined to give her name , but her husband Art Mercado , 47 , said they waited to vote at the stadium on the last day of voting for the novelty and the bragging rights .
“ We vote all the time , but it ’ s the novelty of saying we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercado , a facilities manager for a chain of fitness clubs , said he is voting for Joe Biden to end the divisiveness that has torn the country apart in the last four years .
“ I can ’ t even talk to my Republican friends , ” he said , putting the blame on President Trump and his rhetoric .
Mercado ’ s gym chain , which has 50 outlets from Temecula to Ventura County , had to ban political discussions because of loud , emotional arguments — but luckily , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States of America .
We should be able to talk about our views without fighting , and it ’ s got to be the president causing it , ” said Mercado , adding that as the son of Mexican immigrants who crossed the border illegally , he is especially upset about Trump ’ s disrespect for Latinos .
Mercado said he also voted to mark the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
“ Anybody who helps women helps our country grow , ” he said .
Alexander Anguiano , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neighbors in the city of Bell , drove to the stadium together on the spur of the moment to cast the first ballots of their young lives .
“ I was watching the news this morning , and they said there was a band , and I said , ‘ Let ’ s see what ’ s up , ’ ” said Flores , who wore a Dodgers mask .
He said he hoped his one vote for Biden could make a difference .
“ Maybe I ’ ll be like ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one with the golden ticket , ” said Flores , a deli worker .
With the Dodgers winning the World Series , voting at the stadium would bring good luck , he added .
Both men have been unemployed for seven months because of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and feel Trump has done nothing to remedy the situation .
“ In Europe , countries shut down and came back , but Trump didn ’ t do much of anything , ” said Anguiano , a massage therapist .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Both are also sick of his racism , particularly against Latinos .
“ I don ’ t like racism .
My family came from Mexico , ” Anguiano said .
“ He and his supporters talk down to us.
” Louis Aguilar , 34 , a laid-off warehouse worker and Mid-City resident , had already mailed his ballot .
But on Tuesday , he escorted his mother to Dodger Stadium .
“ She feels more comfortable face-to-face , to make sure her ballot goes through , ” Aguilar said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally don ’ t get respect , ” his mother said in Spanish , with Aguilar translating .
She is dubious her vote will change that .
“ But I have hope , ” she said .
David Rodriguez , 31 , said procrastination brought him to the stadium at the voting deadline .
“ I wanted to make it even if it means waiting in long lines , ” said Rodriguez , who broke away from his job as a grocery store manager to cast his ballot .
Luckily , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
Rodriguez is looking for social justice reform and , especially , an end to police brutality .
“ It happens to more than just Black people , and it ’ s not taken seriously enough , ” he said .
Born and bred in Los Angeles , Rodriguez went to Dodgers games four or five times a year , until the pandemic reduced live audiences to cardboard cutouts this year .
Voting was no replacement for celebrating the World Series championship there , but it was the next best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can say the year we won the World Series and there was COVID testing here , I also voted here , ” Rodriguez said .
“ I ’ ve been here so many times I can ’ t count , so there ’ s a special connection .
”

Roxanna Jacinto, 52, left, helps her mother, Salvadora Martir, 73, right, as she casts a ballot Tuesday at Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park. A mariachi band, in partnership with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, serenaded Martir and other new U.S. citizens who were voting for the first time.
Their reasons for coming to Dodger Stadium varied from making sure their vote would count to casting a ballot at a highly Instagrammable polling place.
Of course, on the final day of anything, procrastination is a factor.
Then, there was the spectacle. And for that, the venue did not disappoint on election day.
Advertisement
A mariachi band was playing in front of a disaster relief group handing out free food when two bare-cheeked streakers in American flag jock straps ran up, trailing their own camera crew.
They were there to “boost stoke,” as Chad Kroeber, the blond surfer dude, put it.
“What’s up, 949?” said the other dude, J.T. Parr.
Mariachi Los Pasajeros plays for voters on election day at Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Kroeber’s real name is Tom Allen, and Parr is John Parr. The two are West Hollywood comedians who have become YouTube celebrities for their alter egos’ antics, which include handing out free face masks in Huntington Beach and advocating for house parties at L.A. City Council meetings.
The dudes first had to run a security gauntlet, including a guard operating a drone from his wristwatch.
Advertisement
They were eventually allowed to approach the polling area, where they were greeted with laughter, applause and a sea of camera phones.
“This is … L.A.!” Allen exclaimed, using an expletive.
“This is … L.A.!” a woman crowed.
She declined to give her name, but her husband Art Mercado, 47, said they waited to vote at the stadium on the last day of voting for the novelty and the bragging rights.
“We vote all the time, but it’s the novelty of saying we voted here,” said Mercado.
Mercado, a facilities manager for a chain of fitness clubs, said he is voting for Joe Biden to end the divisiveness that has torn the country apart in the last four years.
“I can’t even talk to my Republican friends,” he said, putting the blame on President Trump and his rhetoric.
Mercado’s gym chain, which has 50 outlets from Temecula to Ventura County, had to ban political discussions because of loud, emotional arguments — but luckily, no fistfights.
“It’s the United States of America. We should be able to talk about our views without fighting, and it’s got to be the president causing it,” said Mercado, adding that as the son of Mexican immigrants who crossed the border illegally, he is especially upset about Trump’s disrespect for Latinos.
Mercado said he also voted to mark the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“Anybody who helps women helps our country grow,” he said.
Adam Tapia, 23, wearing his Clayton Kershaw jersey, came from Whittier to vote at Dodger Stadium on election day. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Alexander Anguiano, 23, and Robert Flores, 26, neighbors in the city of Bell, drove to the stadium together on the spur of the moment to cast the first ballots of their young lives.
“I was watching the news this morning, and they said there was a band, and I said, ‘Let’s see what’s up,’” said Flores, who wore a Dodgers mask.
He said he hoped his one vote for Biden could make a difference.
“Maybe I’ll be like ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ the one with the golden ticket,” said Flores, a deli worker.
Politics Election 2020 live updates: Northern battleground states remain too close to call President Trump and Joe Biden battled into Wednesday morning with no clear winner, as major contests remained too close. Biden urged patience, while Trump called the election into question.
With the Dodgers winning the World Series, voting at the stadium would bring good luck, he added.
Both men have been unemployed for seven months because of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and feel Trump has done nothing to remedy the situation.
“In Europe, countries shut down and came back, but Trump didn’t do much of anything,” said Anguiano, a massage therapist. “He just let it all run down.”
Both are also sick of his racism, particularly against Latinos.
“I don’t like racism. My family came from Mexico,” Anguiano said. “He and his supporters talk down to us.”
Louis Aguilar, 34, a laid-off warehouse worker and Mid-City resident, had already mailed his ballot. But on Tuesday, he escorted his mother to Dodger Stadium.
“She feels more comfortable face-to-face, to make sure her ballot goes through,” Aguilar said.
“I came for the Latin people, who generally don’t get respect,” his mother said in Spanish, with Aguilar translating.
She is dubious her vote will change that. “But I have hope,” she said.
David Rodriguez, 31, said procrastination brought him to the stadium at the voting deadline.
“I wanted to make it even if it means waiting in long lines,” said Rodriguez, who broke away from his job as a grocery store manager to cast his ballot.
Luckily, in the early afternoon, the lines moved quickly, he said.
Rodriguez is looking for social justice reform and, especially, an end to police brutality.
“It happens to more than just Black people, and it’s not taken seriously enough,” he said.
Born and bred in Los Angeles, Rodriguez went to Dodgers games four or five times a year, until the pandemic reduced live audiences to cardboard cutouts this year.
Voting was no replacement for celebrating the World Series championship there, but it was the next best thing.
“Looking back, I can say the year we won the World Series and there was COVID testing here, I also voted here,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been here so many times I can’t count, so there’s a special connection.”


latimes--2020-11-03--Black Lives Matters murals defaced in Riverside

Several Black Lives Matter murals in downtown Riverside were defaced Monday , increasing concerns of political tensions on an already tense election day .
The murals appeared to have been marked with large lines of black spray paint , according to footage obtained by OnScene TV .
One mural portrayed Black civil rights icons such as Harriet Tubman , Marsha P. Johnson and James Baldwin , while another showed a Black woman posing as Rosie the Riveter .
A separate tribute to John Lewis , who died in July , also appeared marred by the paint , as did likenesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parks , and a colorful depiction of protesters under the words “ Black Lives Matter.
” The defacement occurred as many Riverside businesses were boarding up windows in anticipation of potential unrest spurred by what has been deemed one of the most consequential elections in American history .
“ It ’ s just unfortunate that people do things like this , especially at a time like this ” said Cosme Cordova , one of the artists who helped organize the painting of the murals over the summer .
Cordova said he and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown Tuesday to paint over the vandalism and fix the murals .
“ They ’ re upset but not surprised , ” he said of the artists .
George Floyd , whose death in custody of Minneapolis police officers in May ignited months of protests and peaceful marches across the nation , was also depicted in one of the defaced murals .
But Riverside police spokesman Ryan Railsback said he wasn ’ t sure if the defacement was racially or even politically motivated .
“ I don ’ t think this was targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented , ” Railsback said .
“ Of course we won ’ t know until we talk to the person who did it , but it just looks like somebody was being stupid and decided they just wanted to vandalize anything — like they were walking or riding down the sidewalk , held out their arm and spray painted.
” Others weren ’ t so sure .
In an impassioned post on Facebook , Riverside resident Michael J. Elderman — who is working on a book about the murals — called the graffiti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Reached by phone Tuesday , Elderman pointed out that the defaced murals are only a block away from the site of the planned Civil Rights Institute .
“ It ’ s such a powerful piece of visual and textual information , ” he said of the art , but “ the climate is just so crappy , and so much of this kind of stuff has been enabled by what ’ s going on politically.
” Darren Villegas , one of the murals ’ most prominent artists , said he thought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he not only saw “ Hitler mustaches ” sprayed onto John Lewis ’ face , but that when he followed the line of black paint to its end , he uncovered a swastika sprayed on an electrical box next to the empty spray can .
He contacted the police and filed an official report , he said .
But Railsback said that he had not received information about swastikas , and that any hate symbols would have to be proven to have been done at the same time as the black line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
“ The people who did the art may think so , and we ’ re not saying they can ’ t think that way , but we have to go by what the law says , ” he said .
A property crimes detective is looking into the matter and will search for any surveillance footage that may help identify the perpetrator , Railsback said .
If caught , the charge could be either felony or misdemeanor vandalism , depending on the extent of the damage .
If hate symbols are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its classification could be changed .
Hate crime or not , Riverside residents said they found the vandalism disquieting .
“ The fact that the kind of person who would deface this type of mural is lurking around is a bit concerning to me , ” said college student Jack Cotterill .
“ However , I ’ ve lived here my entire life , and I know that Riverside is no home to those who foster hatred and bigotry.
” But Villegas and Elderman said that several of the artists were harassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that they used it as motivation to press on .
“ It was oddly kind of similar to what we were painting about , ” Villegas said .
“ We were painting about the Freedom Riders and the story of the Civil Rights Movement , and how despite any opposition they had , they just continued forward with their mission.
” Now , he and several of the other artists are working on a way to turn the “ negative into a positive.
” “ We ’ re going to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment here in Riverside , ” Villegas said , “ and just show that it ’ s not going to stop us , and every time it happens , we ’ re going to redo it , and gain more and more support each time .
”

Several Black Lives Matter murals in downtown Riverside were defaced Monday, increasing concerns of political tensions on an already tense election day.
The murals appeared to have been marked with large lines of black spray paint, according to footage obtained by OnScene TV. One mural portrayed Black civil rights icons such as Harriet Tubman, Marsha P. Johnson and James Baldwin, while another showed a Black woman posing as Rosie the Riveter.
A separate tribute to John Lewis, who died in July, also appeared marred by the paint, as did likenesses of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, and a colorful depiction of protesters under the words “Black Lives Matter.”
The defacement occurred as many Riverside businesses were boarding up windows in anticipation of potential unrest spurred by what has been deemed one of the most consequential elections in American history.
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“It’s just unfortunate that people do things like this, especially at a time like this” said Cosme Cordova, one of the artists who helped organize the painting of the murals over the summer.
Cordova said he and several of the artists were preparing to go downtown Tuesday to paint over the vandalism and fix the murals.
“They’re upset but not surprised,” he said of the artists.
George Floyd, whose death in custody of Minneapolis police officers in May ignited months of protests and peaceful marches across the nation, was also depicted in one of the defaced murals.
But Riverside police spokesman Ryan Railsback said he wasn’t sure if the defacement was racially or even politically motivated.
“I don’t think this was targeted at any particular group that the murals represented,” Railsback said. “Of course we won’t know until we talk to the person who did it, but it just looks like somebody was being stupid and decided they just wanted to vandalize anything — like they were walking or riding down the sidewalk, held out their arm and spray painted.”
Others weren’t so sure. In an impassioned post on Facebook, Riverside resident Michael J. Elderman — who is working on a book about the murals — called the graffiti an act of “stupidity and racism.”
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Reached by phone Tuesday, Elderman pointed out that the defaced murals are only a block away from the site of the planned Civil Rights Institute.
“It’s such a powerful piece of visual and textual information,” he said of the art, but “the climate is just so crappy, and so much of this kind of stuff has been enabled by what’s going on politically.”
Darren Villegas, one of the murals’ most prominent artists, said he thought the act was a hate crime. He said he not only saw “Hitler mustaches” sprayed onto John Lewis’ face, but that when he followed the line of black paint to its end, he uncovered a swastika sprayed on an electrical box next to the empty spray can.
He contacted the police and filed an official report, he said.
But Railsback said that he had not received information about swastikas, and that any hate symbols would have to be proven to have been done at the same time as the black line to classify the incident as a hate crime.
“The people who did the art may think so, and we’re not saying they can’t think that way, but we have to go by what the law says,” he said.
A property crimes detective is looking into the matter and will search for any surveillance footage that may help identify the perpetrator, Railsback said. If caught, the charge could be either felony or misdemeanor vandalism, depending on the extent of the damage. If hate symbols are proven to be associated with the act, its classification could be changed.
Hate crime or not, Riverside residents said they found the vandalism disquieting.
“The fact that the kind of person who would deface this type of mural is lurking around is a bit concerning to me,” said college student Jack Cotterill. “However, I’ve lived here my entire life, and I know that Riverside is no home to those who foster hatred and bigotry.”
But Villegas and Elderman said that several of the artists were harassed and yelled at while painting the murals, and that they used it as motivation to press on.
“It was oddly kind of similar to what we were painting about,” Villegas said. “We were painting about the Freedom Riders and the story of the Civil Rights Movement, and how despite any opposition they had, they just continued forward with their mission.”
Now, he and several of the other artists are working on a way to turn the “negative into a positive.”
“We’re going to use this as fuel to launch an anti-racism moment here in Riverside,” Villegas said, “and just show that it’s not going to stop us, and every time it happens, we’re going to redo it, and gain more and more support each time.”


latimes--2020-11-03--Orange County investigates report of fake polling site, complete with 'I Voted' stickers

Orange County officials said Tuesday that they were investigating reports that someone established a fake voting center at the headquarters of a City Council candidate in Westminster and accepted ballots and handed out “ I Voted ” stickers .
Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said the incident was under investigation by his office and the Orange County district attorney ’ s office , but wouldn ’ t comment further .
At about 3 p.m. , he said officials were “ on scene and active right now.
” Video purporting to show the phony voting center was posted on Twitter by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Instagram account supporting the Black Lives Matter movement .
He said activists were patrolling neighborhoods looking for voter fraud — “ The orange man said to watch the polls , so that ’ s what we ’ re doing ” — when an activist spotted a “ Vote Here ” sign written in black marker .
Shortly after the video was posted , a Times reporter saw the sign discarded behind the building .
Bailey said he saw people walking in with their ballots and then walking out with “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as fake .
He called the Registrar of Voters office , which confirmed it ’ s not an official vote center .
The purported voting center was at an address that is listed as the headquarters of Apogee International , a skincare company owned by Kimberly Ho , the vice mayor of Westminster , who is up for reelection to the City Council .
A man who answered a phone number for Apogee said that the address was Ho ’ s campaign headquarters .
The man declined to give his name or answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use as a fake voting center .
“ You need to talk with the lawyer , ” the man said and would not provide further names or information .
Van Tran , a former state assemblyman who is the attorney for the Ho campaign , acknowledged that people were coming there to drop off ballots .
He also said the office was helping to “ advise ” voters on how to vote .
The video showed two campaign volunteers with boxes of what the narrator said appeared to be discarded ballots .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot envelopes , not ballots , and Kimberly Edds , Orange County district attorney ’ s communications director , seemed to confirm that .
She said Tuesday evening that the office ’ s investigators “ have found no evidence of ballots being discarded at the location .
What is being thrown away is the envelopes ballots come in.
” “ It ’ s a false controversy that the opponents are creating , ” Tran said , gesturing to several activists milling about in the parking lot .
“ There is absolutely no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tran , a Republican , said this was also an effort by the campaign to help bridge a cultural barrier to voting with the local Vietnamese community .
“ Fellow countrymen and countrywomen who speak the language , offering a service that no other government agency provides , ” he said .
Activists in the parking lot , which was lined with Trump campaign flags , said they had no relationship with Ho ’ s campaign opponents .
“ I don ’ t even know who her opponent is , ” said Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which describes itself as a grass-roots voter engagement organization .
Ho , who survived a recall campaign in April , was running against Tai Do , a police officer who is also on the City Council .
Because of redistricting , the two were vying for the same seat on the nonpartisan council .
Last month , a judge halted efforts by state Atty , Gen. Xavier Becerra to investigate the state GOP ’ s use of ballot drop-off boxes , some of which were briefly , and falsely , labeled as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I .
Brown agreed with the Republican Party that the boxes violated no law and posed no threat to voting .
Times staff writers Richard Winton , Kiera Feldman and Anh Do contributed to this report .

A “voting center” sign apparently discarded behind a building in Westminster is part of an investigation into a possible phony voting center.
Orange County officials said Tuesday that they were investigating reports that someone established a fake voting center at the headquarters of a City Council candidate in Westminster and accepted ballots and handed out “I Voted” stickers.
Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said the incident was under investigation by his office and the Orange County district attorney’s office, but wouldn’t comment further. At about 3 p.m., he said officials were “on scene and active right now.”
Video purporting to show the phony voting center was posted on Twitter by Ty Bailey, an organizer with OCForBlackLives, an Instagram account supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He said activists were patrolling neighborhoods looking for voter fraud — “The orange man said to watch the polls, so that’s what we’re doing” — when an activist spotted a “Vote Here” sign written in black marker.
Shortly after the video was posted, a Times reporter saw the sign discarded behind the building.
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Bailey said he saw people walking in with their ballots and then walking out with “I Voted” stickers, which he described as fake. He called the Registrar of Voters office, which confirmed it’s not an official vote center.
The purported voting center was at an address that is listed as the headquarters of Apogee International, a skincare company owned by Kimberly Ho, the vice mayor of Westminster, who is up for reelection to the City Council. A man who answered a phone number for Apogee said that the address was Ho’s campaign headquarters. The man declined to give his name or answer questions about the site’s alleged use as a fake voting center.
“You need to talk with the lawyer,” the man said and would not provide further names or information.
Van Tran, a former state assemblyman who is the attorney for the Ho campaign, acknowledged that people were coming there to drop off ballots.
He also said the office was helping to “advise” voters on how to vote.
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The video showed two campaign volunteers with boxes of what the narrator said appeared to be discarded ballots. However, Tran said the boxes contained empty ballot envelopes, not ballots, and Kimberly Edds, Orange County district attorney’s communications director, seemed to confirm that. She said Tuesday evening that the office’s investigators “have found no evidence of ballots being discarded at the location. What is being thrown away is the envelopes ballots come in.”
“It’s a false controversy that the opponents are creating,” Tran said, gesturing to several activists milling about in the parking lot. “There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that any illegality is happening.”
Tran, a Republican, said this was also an effort by the campaign to help bridge a cultural barrier to voting with the local Vietnamese community.
“Fellow countrymen and countrywomen who speak the language, offering a service that no other government agency provides,” he said.
Activists in the parking lot, which was lined with Trump campaign flags, said they had no relationship with Ho’s campaign opponents.
“I don’t even know who her opponent is,” said Justin Frazier, an activist with Clarity O.C., which describes itself as a grass-roots voter engagement organization. Ho, who survived a recall campaign in April, was running against Tai Do, a police officer who is also on the City Council. Because of redistricting, the two were vying for the same seat on the nonpartisan council.
Last month, a judge halted efforts by state Atty, Gen. Xavier Becerra to investigate the state GOP’s use of ballot drop-off boxes, some of which were briefly, and falsely, labeled as official ballot sites. Sacramento Judge David I. Brown agreed with the Republican Party that the boxes violated no law and posed no threat to voting.
Times staff writers Richard Winton, Kiera Feldman and Anh Do contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-03--L.A. bans laser pointers at demonstrations and marches, citing eye injuries

Los Angeles on Tuesday outlawed the possession of laser pointers and laser-style devices during public demonstrations , rallies , protests or picket lines , citing two dozen cases in which police officers and residents suffered eye injuries .
Laser pointers have popped up at protests across the country , and have led to federal charges against a few protesters in Portland , Ore. , outside the federal building there .
Officers and some members of the public who have been targeted suffered temporary — and in a few cases , permanent — eye damage .
The move approved by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laser pointers and laser devices to a list of prohibited items under a Los Angeles Municipal Code during protests .
Other prohibited items include thick metal or wooden poles , baseball bats , slingshots , guns , glass bottles , bricks , pepper spray or mace and aerosol sprays .
It is a misdemeanor to possess those items in a protest setting .
The announcement by the LAPD comes as it declared a tactical alert citywide in preparation for potential unrest with Tuesday ’ s elections .
“ The LAPD works exceptionally hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of all to peacefully protest and assemble , ” LAPD Deputy Chief Kris Pitcher told the council ’ s Public Safety Committee last week .
“ However , we have experienced numerous instances of individuals among these groups intentionally using laser devices and pointers to attempt to blind and cause harm to officers by pointing them purposely at their eyes.
’ ' There have been 24 incidents in which eye damage was reported after a person was hit with a laser beam during the last year across L.A. , said LAPD Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cases , the targets were police officers .
In July , LAPD Officer Kyle Rice lost his vision in his right eye , as well as his his ability to balance , and was left with migraine-like headaches after he was targeted with a laser pointer after responding to a radio call of a disturbance in Little Tokyo .
A person not involved in the dispute between an homeless person and a business owner is accused of pointing the laser at Rice ’ s eye .
An arrest was made in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors charged two people with civil disorder , accusing them of shining green lasers at officers after an unlawful assembly was declared last month .
Following reports from other LAPD officers that they were targeted during police brutality protests , Chief Michel Moore , in an internal memorandum , warned officers to “ adjust their vision ” away from the beams .
The department has since sought to use eyewear and screens that can block the damaging beams .
After the approval of the new ban , the LAPD immediately sent out an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asks all members of the public to not bring any of the listed prohibited items to any event specified under 55.07 LAMC as these items have no legal purpose while individuals are attending or participating in these events , ” the department said in a statement .
“ The 1st Amendment is essential to our democracy and by prohibiting the above-listed items we can all ensure the public ’ s safety as they exercise their constitutional rights.
” At a recent meeting of the Los Angeles City Council ’ s Public Safety Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasers when protesters have reported suffering numerous eye injuries at the hands of the LAPD ’ s projectile launchers in recent months .
Since the protests following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police this summer , there have been escalating tensions over the items carried by protesters .
In August , the LAPD surrounded a group of protesters at the 3rd Street tunnel and ordered them to drop cardboard shields , saying they were prohibited items .
The protesters were threatened with arrest and dropped the shields , which they said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAPD projectile rounds .

Los Angeles on Tuesday outlawed the possession of laser pointers and laser-style devices during public demonstrations, rallies, protests or picket lines, citing two dozen cases in which police officers and residents suffered eye injuries.
Laser pointers have popped up at protests across the country, and have led to federal charges against a few protesters in Portland, Ore., outside the federal building there. Officers and some members of the public who have been targeted suffered temporary — and in a few cases, permanent — eye damage.
The move approved by the City Council and Mayor Eric Garcetti adds laser pointers and laser devices to a list of prohibited items under a Los Angeles Municipal Code during protests. Other prohibited items include thick metal or wooden poles, baseball bats, slingshots, guns, glass bottles, bricks, pepper spray or mace and aerosol sprays. It is a misdemeanor to possess those items in a protest setting.
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The announcement by the LAPD comes as it declared a tactical alert citywide in preparation for potential unrest with Tuesday’s elections.
“The LAPD works exceptionally hard to protect and facilitate the 1st Amendment rights of all to peacefully protest and assemble,” LAPD Deputy Chief Kris Pitcher told the council’s Public Safety Committee last week. “However, we have experienced numerous instances of individuals among these groups intentionally using laser devices and pointers to attempt to blind and cause harm to officers by pointing them purposely at their eyes.’’
There have been 24 incidents in which eye damage was reported after a person was hit with a laser beam during the last year across L.A., said LAPD Lt. Chris Zine. In all but four of the cases, the targets were police officers.
In July, LAPD Officer Kyle Rice lost his vision in his right eye, as well as his his ability to balance, and was left with migraine-like headaches after he was targeted with a laser pointer after responding to a radio call of a disturbance in Little Tokyo. A person not involved in the dispute between an homeless person and a business owner is accused of pointing the laser at Rice’s eye. An arrest was made in the incident.
In Portland, federal prosecutors charged two people with civil disorder, accusing them of shining green lasers at officers after an unlawful assembly was declared last month.
Following reports from other LAPD officers that they were targeted during police brutality protests, Chief Michel Moore, in an internal memorandum, warned officers to “adjust their vision” away from the beams. The department has since sought to use eyewear and screens that can block the damaging beams.
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After the approval of the new ban, the LAPD immediately sent out an announcement on Twitter.
“The LAPD asks all members of the public to not bring any of the listed prohibited items to any event specified under 55.07 LAMC as these items have no legal purpose while individuals are attending or participating in these events,” the department said in a statement. “The 1st Amendment is essential to our democracy and by prohibiting the above-listed items we can all ensure the public’s safety as they exercise their constitutional rights.”
At a recent meeting of the Los Angeles City Council’s Public Safety Committee, activists questioned the focus on the lasers when protesters have reported suffering numerous eye injuries at the hands of the LAPD’s projectile launchers in recent months.
Since the protests following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police this summer, there have been escalating tensions over the items carried by protesters.
In August, the LAPD surrounded a group of protesters at the 3rd Street tunnel and ordered them to drop cardboard shields, saying they were prohibited items. The protesters were threatened with arrest and dropped the shields, which they said they were carrying to protect them from LAPD projectile rounds.


latimes--2020-11-03--LAPD goes on tactical alert as it gears up for election night

The Los Angeles Police Department announced it was going on tactical alert Tuesday afternoon , an expected move that comes as law enforcement is on guard for any unrest or other issues related to the election .
Police stressed they have no intelligence suggesting problems but want to be prepared .
The alert allows more officers to be available .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said staffing had been boosted and staggered , and the department will have significant numbers of officers on duty well into election night and beyond , both to facilitate peaceful protests and to watch out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said nearly every uniformed officer would work a 12-hour shift on election day , and officers will have a visible presence across the city all week .
He pledged immediate action to restore order if disturbances were to unfold .
The Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department and other law enforcement agencies are also planning similar deployments .
Officials have been concerned about protests or other events on election night .
The championship victories of both the Lakers and Dodgers sparked celebrations in the streets last month .
Although most were peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of arrests and clashes between police and the public .

The Los Angeles Police Department, as expected, announced a tactical alert for election night, a move that allows more officers to be available citywide.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced it was going on tactical alert Tuesday afternoon, an expected move that comes as law enforcement is on guard for any unrest or other issues related to the election.
Police stressed they have no intelligence suggesting problems but want to be prepared. The alert allows more officers to be available.
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LAPD Chief Michel Moore said staffing had been boosted and staggered, and the department will have significant numbers of officers on duty well into election night and beyond, both to facilitate peaceful protests and to watch out for intimidation, violence or destruction.
Moore said nearly every uniformed officer would work a 12-hour shift on election day, and officers will have a visible presence across the city all week. He pledged immediate action to restore order if disturbances were to unfold.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies are also planning similar deployments.
California Boarded-up stores across L.A. reflect an anxious, unprecedented election day In this historic year of plague, fire and unrest in California, the notion that the United States electoral process could devolve into disarray and violence has cranked up the anxiety even more.
Officials have been concerned about protests or other events on election night. The championship victories of both the Lakers and Dodgers sparked celebrations in the streets last month. Although most were peaceful, in downtown L.A., there were dozens of arrests and clashes between police and the public.


latimes--2020-11-03--In Orange County, voters say there is a lot at stake

In Orange County , reminders that it was election day were not hard to find .
Motorists entering the county on the southbound 405 saw Trump supporters holding banners announcing their allegiance to the president .
Major landmarks such as the Irvine Civic Center were serving as polling places .
Even at a taco truck in Santa Ana , where a street musician crooned “ Lo Mucho que te Quiero ” ( “ How Much I Love You ” ) , the election was not far from people ’ s minds .
Orange County was once a bastion of conservatism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it becomes more racially diverse and highly educated voters rebel against the Republican Party .
In 2016 , the county broke for Hillary Clinton .
Two years later , Democrats swept all seven congressional seats .
At John Wayne Airport on Tuesday , Kamaria Brooks flew in from Houston at 11 a.m. , then headed to cast her ballot .
With the COVID-19 pandemic , she had avoided flying home to Irvine for months .
She has health conditions that prompted her doctors to advise against traveling .
But she was determined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on election day .
Problems with the U.S .
Postal Service and ballot drop boxes made her risk the trip to make sure her vote was counted .
“ I refused to miss today .
I need my voice to be heard , ” said Brooks , 40 , a Joe Biden supporter who is unemployed .
“ There ’ s a lot of stuff that impacts me and my community.
” By 11:30 a.m. , Brooks was waiting in a long line at the Irvine Civic Center , sporting Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of change needs to be made in this country , and Trump ’ s got to go , ” said Brooks , who is Black .
It was Ada Mariano ’ s first time voting .
Dropping off her ballot in a drop box on the UC Irvine campus in between midterms felt “ awesome , ” she said .
Mariano , 21 , a political science major , said the election was especially important for her as a first-generation college student with friends who are in the country illegally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues thoroughly , waiting until election day to cast her ballot .
“ For me and my family , there ’ s a lot at stake for us , ” Mariano said .
“ For my friends who aren ’ t citizens , this is for them.
” At the Alebrije ’ s food truck in Santa Ana , José Luis Acosta Escobedo sang and strummed a guitar to a lunchtime crowd : “ Believe me when I tell you that I love you .
Believe me when I tell you that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicano oldie-but-goodie “ Lo Mucho que te Quiero ” by René y René seemed apt when each presidential candidate has sought to convey that he understands the struggles of the average American .
Eaters applauded Acosta Escobedo ’ s raspy take and rewarded him with $ 1 bills after they finished off their tacos .
“ I ’ ve loved that song since I was a chavalillo [ little kid ] , ” said the native of Morelia in Mexico ’ s Michoacán state .
“ It ’ s something positive for today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Acosta Escobedo busks around the city during the week and wasn ’ t about to take election day off .
As a permanent resident , he isn ’ t eligible to vote .
But the 62-year-old urged his friends and family to do so , “ because we ’ re in a critical moment.
” He didn ’ t like how Trump had started off his first campaign in 2015 “ saying all these nasty things about us Mexicans .
But he really hasn ’ t attacked us since .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel ] López Obrador .
“ We Latinos have always gone for the Democrats , ” Acosta Escobedo added .
“ But now we have to think about it — and we didn ’ t know we would one day.
” Acosta Escobedo wouldn ’ t say whether he preferred Trump over Biden , saying only that “ whoever is my president , I ’ ll respect.
” He does want to know who his wife voted for .
“ But she won ’ t tell me , ” he said with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a secret ballot in the United States .
”

Voters cast their ballots at the Huntington Beach City Gym and Pool on Tuesday.
In Orange County, reminders that it was election day were not hard to find.
Motorists entering the county on the southbound 405 saw Trump supporters holding banners announcing their allegiance to the president.
Major landmarks such as the Irvine Civic Center were serving as polling places.
Even at a taco truck in Santa Ana, where a street musician crooned “Lo Mucho que te Quiero” (“How Much I Love You”), the election was not far from people’s minds.
Orange County was once a bastion of conservatism, but its politics have evolved as it becomes more racially diverse and highly educated voters rebel against the Republican Party.
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In 2016, the county broke for Hillary Clinton. Two years later, Democrats swept all seven congressional seats.
At John Wayne Airport on Tuesday, Kamaria Brooks flew in from Houston at 11 a.m., then headed to cast her ballot.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, she had avoided flying home to Irvine for months. She has health conditions that prompted her doctors to advise against traveling.
Kamaria Brooks flew home to Irvine from Houston to cast her vote Tuesday, despite the risks of contracting the coronavirus. (Stephanie Lai / Los Angeles Times)
But she was determined to show up in her hometown in person on election day.
Problems with the U.S. Postal Service and ballot drop boxes made her risk the trip to make sure her vote was counted.
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“I refused to miss today. I need my voice to be heard,” said Brooks, 40, a Joe Biden supporter who is unemployed. “There’s a lot of stuff that impacts me and my community.”
By 11:30 a.m., Brooks was waiting in a long line at the Irvine Civic Center, sporting Black Lives Matter insignia from head to toe.
“A lot of change needs to be made in this country, and Trump’s got to go,” said Brooks, who is Black.
It was Ada Mariano’s first time voting. Dropping off her ballot in a drop box on the UC Irvine campus in between midterms felt “awesome,” she said.
Mariano, 21, a political science major, said the election was especially important for her as a first-generation college student with friends who are in the country illegally.
She took her time to research the issues thoroughly, waiting until election day to cast her ballot.
“For me and my family, there’s a lot at stake for us,” Mariano said. “For my friends who aren’t citizens, this is for them.”
At the Alebrije’s food truck in Santa Ana, José Luis Acosta Escobedo sang and strummed a guitar to a lunchtime crowd: “Believe me when I tell you that I love you. Believe me when I tell you that I care.”
The lyrics to the bilingual Chicano oldie-but-goodie “Lo Mucho que te Quiero” by René y René seemed apt when each presidential candidate has sought to convey that he understands the struggles of the average American.
Jose Luis Acosta Escobedo performs for the lunchtime crowd at the Alebrije’s food truck in Santa Ana. (Gustavo Arellano / Los Angeles Times)
Eaters applauded Acosta Escobedo’s raspy take and rewarded him with $1 bills after they finished off their tacos.
“I’ve loved that song since I was a chavalillo [little kid],” said the native of Morelia in Mexico’s Michoacán state. “It’s something positive for today, so people can relax a bit.”
Acosta Escobedo busks around the city during the week and wasn’t about to take election day off.
As a permanent resident, he isn’t eligible to vote. But the 62-year-old urged his friends and family to do so, “because we’re in a critical moment.”
He didn’t like how Trump had started off his first campaign in 2015 “saying all these nasty things about us Mexicans. But he really hasn’t attacked us since. And he’s respected [Mexican President Andrés Manuel] López Obrador.
“We Latinos have always gone for the Democrats,” Acosta Escobedo added. “But now we have to think about it — and we didn’t know we would one day.”
Acosta Escobedo wouldn’t say whether he preferred Trump over Biden, saying only that “whoever is my president, I’ll respect.”
He does want to know who his wife voted for.
“But she won’t tell me,” he said with a laugh. “She said it’s a secret ballot in the United States.”
Times staff writer Thomas Curwen contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-03--Bay Area weighs 2-week quarantine for residents who travel over the holidays

San Francisco Bay Area residents who travel out of state this holiday season to visit family and friends may be met with a 14-day quarantine advisory when they return .
A group of public health officers from across the Bay Area — including the large cities of San Francisco , San Jose and Oakland — are considering implementing the coronavirus quarantine as pandemic fatigue continues to drive travel outside the area , Marin County Public Health Officer Matt Willis said Tuesday .
The proposal will likely be a “ strong recommendation , ” not an order , Willis said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect the region ’ s more than 7 million residents , as well as potentially millions more who might travel to the area .
Once a hot spot for coronavirus infections , the Bay Area is now in much better shape than most of the U.S. and has largely avoided the “ third wave ” plaguing other states .
San Francisco ’ s positive coronavirus test rate was 0.8 % at the end of October , making it the lowest rate of the 20 most populous cities across the U.S. , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has the lowest death rate per capita from COVID-19 of those same 20 cities .
Marin County ’ s rate of positive coronavirus test results is about 1 % , according to the most recent county data .
The county is currently in Tier 3 , or the orange tier , of the state ’ s color-coded reopening blueprint , which means prevalence of the virus is moderate .
A number of the region ’ s counties are in either the orange tier or the yellow , which is the least restrictive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot to lose , Willis said .
“ Everyone has worked really hard to reduce the transmission and lower case rates , ” he said , “ and the question is , how do we hold on to those gains.
” With colder weather moving activities indoors and more businesses reopening , and with the upcoming holiday season and the election , “ there ’ s a lot coming together that makes us vulnerable in the remainder of the year , ” Willis said , “ and the last thing we need is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from outside.
” Once a traveler quarantines for the specified time and shows no symptoms , they can resume regular activities , Willis said .
There ’ s a possibility that a traveler could take a coronavirus test within a shorter time frame , perhaps five to seven days after a trip , but he said the science was still out on whether the person would need to quarantine for an additional week .
A decision on a quarantine advisory for travelers could come as early as Thursday , Willis said .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area Health Officers — made up of health officials from San Francisco , Alameda , Contra Costa , San Mateo , Santa Clara , Napa , Sonoma , Solano , Santa Cruz , Monterey , San Benito and Marin counties , as well as the city of Berkeley , which has its own health department — is scheduled to discuss the matter .
Willis said , however , there is currently no consensus on the issue among the counties , and it is not a top priority for all officials .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regional approach , counties may make their own individual recommendations , he said .
Regardless of what ’ s decided at the upcoming meeting , Marin County public health officials still discourage unnecessary travel .
If residents decide that they are going to travel , Dr. Lisa Santora , Marin ’ s deputy public health officer , advised in a recent webinar that they not adopt the potentially looser coronavirus precautions of the city or state they ’ re visiting .
“ We would really strongly encourage you to bring California with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place that you ’ re visiting , ” Santora said .
Santora credited the Bay Area ’ s recent success in tamping down virus transmissions with a slow and steady approach that differentiates it from other areas .
“ We believe the Bay Area has created a bubble in some ways around itself , ” Santora said , “ by practicing best practices , from face covering and maximizing physical distancing and opening slow , to be really measured and thoughtful.
” Meanwhile , some public officials on the East Coast have began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the U.S. New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced over the weekend that most U.S. visitors would be required to pass two coronavirus tests with a three-day quarantine in between .
Those who don ’ t take the tests need to quarantine for 14 days .
Like the Bay Area , New York was once a coronavirus hot bed but now has one of the lowest positive-case rates in the U.S. A New York Times of rates shows that , as of Monday , New York state ’ s daily average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
California ’ s rate was 10.7 .
Now , Cuomo said , “ travel has become an issue — the rest of the states pose a threat .
”

San Francisco Bay Area residents who travel out of state this holiday season to visit family and friends may be met with a 14-day quarantine advisory when they return.
A group of public health officers from across the Bay Area — including the large cities of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland — are considering implementing the coronavirus quarantine as pandemic fatigue continues to drive travel outside the area, Marin County Public Health Officer Matt Willis said Tuesday.
The proposal will likely be a “strong recommendation,” not an order, Willis said. If adopted widely, the decision could affect the region’s more than 7 million residents, as well as potentially millions more who might travel to the area.
Once a hot spot for coronavirus infections, the Bay Area is now in much better shape than most of the U.S. and has largely avoided the “third wave” plaguing other states. San Francisco’s positive coronavirus test rate was 0.8% at the end of October, making it the lowest rate of the 20 most populous cities across the U.S., according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker. It also has the lowest death rate per capita from COVID-19 of those same 20 cities.
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California How San Francisco became a COVID-19 success story as other cities stumbled San Francisco shut down early in the pandemic and later limited reopening. Now the city is the first urban center in California where the risk of infection is rated as minimal.
Marin County’s rate of positive coronavirus test results is about 1%, according to the most recent county data. The county is currently in Tier 3, or the orange tier, of the state’s color-coded reopening blueprint, which means prevalence of the virus is moderate. A number of the region’s counties are in either the orange tier or the yellow, which is the least restrictive.
That means there’s a lot to lose, Willis said.
“Everyone has worked really hard to reduce the transmission and lower case rates,” he said, “and the question is, how do we hold on to those gains.”
With colder weather moving activities indoors and more businesses reopening, and with the upcoming holiday season and the election, “there’s a lot coming together that makes us vulnerable in the remainder of the year,” Willis said, “and the last thing we need is for people to be importing the virus from outside.”
Once a traveler quarantines for the specified time and shows no symptoms, they can resume regular activities, Willis said. There’s a possibility that a traveler could take a coronavirus test within a shorter time frame, perhaps five to seven days after a trip, but he said the science was still out on whether the person would need to quarantine for an additional week.
A decision on a quarantine advisory for travelers could come as early as Thursday, Willis said. That day, the Assn. of Bay Area Health Officers — made up of health officials from San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Marin counties, as well as the city of Berkeley, which has its own health department — is scheduled to discuss the matter.
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Willis said, however, there is currently no consensus on the issue among the counties, and it is not a top priority for all officials. There’s a possibility that, instead of a regional approach, counties may make their own individual recommendations, he said.
Regardless of what’s decided at the upcoming meeting, Marin County public health officials still discourage unnecessary travel.
If residents decide that they are going to travel, Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin’s deputy public health officer, advised in a recent webinar that they not adopt the potentially looser coronavirus precautions of the city or state they’re visiting.
“We would really strongly encourage you to bring California with you on how you move through the place that you’re visiting,” Santora said.
Santora credited the Bay Area’s recent success in tamping down virus transmissions with a slow and steady approach that differentiates it from other areas.
“We believe the Bay Area has created a bubble in some ways around itself,” Santora said, “by practicing best practices, from face covering and maximizing physical distancing and opening slow, to be really measured and thoughtful.”
Meanwhile, some public officials on the East Coast have began ramping up travel restrictions as cases climb across the U.S.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced over the weekend that most U.S. visitors would be required to pass two coronavirus tests with a three-day quarantine in between. Those who don’t take the tests need to quarantine for 14 days.
Like the Bay Area, New York was once a coronavirus hot bed but now has one of the lowest positive-case rates in the U.S. A New York Times analysis of rates shows that, as of Monday, New York state’s daily average of new cases per 100,000 residents was 10.5. California’s rate was 10.7.


latimes--2020-11-03--FBI raids Compton councilman's home, Baldwin Park city attorney's office in pot inquiry

FBI agents served search warrants last week at the home of a Compton city councilman and the law offices of the Baldwin Park city attorney , part of a federal investigation examining Baldwin Park ’ s dealings with cannabis businesses , according to sources familiar with the probe .
An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that the two addresses were among those searched last Wednesday but declined to comment further , saying a judge had sealed the supporting affidavits .
It ’ s not clear what exactly federal agents are investigating or whether Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan or Baldwin Park City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offices , respectively , were searched , are targets .
The spokeswoman said neither man has been arrested .
The raids come amid controversy over Baldwin Park ’ s approval of licenses for cultivation , distribution , manufacturing and testing cannabis .
In September , a former Baldwin Park police officer said in a sworn declaration that he had received complaints from three cannabis operations alleging “ questionable business practices , which included paying as much as $ 250,000 cash in a brown paper bag to city officials.
” The declaration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had helped oversee regulating cannabis businesses in the city , was filed in defense of a former police chief the city accused of unrelated wrongdoing .
The declaration ’ s allegations about cannabis businesses do not mention Tafoya or Galvan .
One of the sources familiar with the FBI investigation , who is not authorized to discuss an ongoing inquiry publicly and requested anonymity , said federal agents have been interviewing people about allegations that Baldwin Park officials requested illegal payments from cannabis businesses seeking permits in the city .
Galvan confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the investigation had no connection to Compton city government but would not say if he has cannabis business interests in Baldwin Park .
He referred other questions to his attorney , who did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails .
Mark Werksman , an attorney representing Tafoya , said in an emailed statement that his client “ is proud of his many years of distinguished service as city attorney of Baldwin Park , ” and that it would be inappropriate to “ address the specifics of the federal investigation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ shares the federal government ’ s interest in rooting out corruption in the cannabis industry and prosecuting political corruption of any kind .
“ There is no place for that in our community , ” he said in the statement .
( Werksman has represented Times journalists in unrelated matters . )
Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano told The Times that he did not know about the search warrant served at Tafoya ’ s office in Los Angeles , but that he would address the matter with his council colleagues on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lozano said he knew of no wrongdoing by city officials .
Galvan has raised campaign funds for Lozano , he said , and that fundraising was legal .
“ Everything that ’ s done in the city of Baldwin Park , including by me , is above board , ” he said .
Baldwin Park City Councilwoman Monica Garcia said she also had not heard about the FBI ’ s search of Tafoya ’ s law office .
Garcia said she was surprised by the news and had never witnessed anything improper by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective city attorney for us for seven years , ” she said .
“ I would just say let the authorities investigate and let justice prevail.
” After this article was published online , the city of Baldwin Park issued a statement saying it had not been contacted by FBI agents and noting that Tafoya is not an employee but works for the city on a contract .
“ Baldwin Park ’ s officials recognize the need to continue to be transparent and to maintain public confidence ; the City will cooperate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the statement said .
California voters legalized the possession and sale of recreational cannabis in 2016 , but left it up to cities and counties to decide whether they would allow businesses in their jurisdictions to manufacture , distribute and sell cannabis products .
Most cities still prohibit cannabis businesses from operating within their borders , and those that do allow pot operations typically place strict limits on the number of licenses they issue as well as their locations .
With permits limited , it is speculated that they could be worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them can be fierce .
Baldwin Park officials continued the city ’ s ban on retail sales of cannabis but decided to allow local manufacturing , distribution and laboratory testing of the drug .
City officials began awarding licenses in late 2017 , and have said the maximum number of permits they ’ ll allow is 25 .
The city ’ s approval process erupted in controversy in 2017 after the council granted one business , Rukli Inc. , an exclusive permit to distribute cannabis produced in the city .
The arrangement prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file a court action alleging that the city was giving Rukli a monopoly over distribution and asking a judge to set aside the contract ’ s exclusivity provisions .
A judge denied their request .

Allegations of misconduct at Baldwin Park City Hall regarding cannabis permits led the FBI last week to search the law offices of the city attorney as well as the home of a Compton councilman.
FBI agents served search warrants last week at the home of a Compton city councilman and the law offices of the Baldwin Park city attorney, part of a federal investigation examining Baldwin Park’s dealings with cannabis businesses, according to sources familiar with the probe.
An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that the two addresses were among those searched last Wednesday but declined to comment further, saying a judge had sealed the supporting affidavits.
It’s not clear what exactly federal agents are investigating or whether Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan or Baldwin Park City Atty. Robert Tafoya, whose home and offices, respectively, were searched, are targets. The spokeswoman said neither man has been arrested.
The raids come amid controversy over Baldwin Park’s approval of licenses for cultivation, distribution, manufacturing and testing cannabis.
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In September, a former Baldwin Park police officer said in a sworn declaration that he had received complaints from three cannabis operations alleging “questionable business practices, which included paying as much as $250,000 cash in a brown paper bag to city officials.”
The declaration, signed by a retired police lieutenant who had helped oversee regulating cannabis businesses in the city, was filed in defense of a former police chief the city accused of unrelated wrongdoing. The declaration’s allegations about cannabis businesses do not mention Tafoya or Galvan.
One of the sources familiar with the FBI investigation, who is not authorized to discuss an ongoing inquiry publicly and requested anonymity, said federal agents have been interviewing people about allegations that Baldwin Park officials requested illegal payments from cannabis businesses seeking permits in the city.
Galvan confirmed that FBI agents searched his apartment. He said the investigation had no connection to Compton city government but would not say if he has cannabis business interests in Baldwin Park. He referred other questions to his attorney, who did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails.
Mark Werksman, an attorney representing Tafoya, said in an emailed statement that his client “is proud of his many years of distinguished service as city attorney of Baldwin Park,” and that it would be inappropriate to “address the specifics of the federal investigation at this time.”
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Werksman also said Tafoya “shares the federal government’s interest in rooting out corruption in the cannabis industry and prosecuting political corruption of any kind.
“There is no place for that in our community,” he said in the statement. (Werksman has represented Times journalists in unrelated matters.)
Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano told The Times that he did not know about the search warrant served at Tafoya’s office in Los Angeles, but that he would address the matter with his council colleagues on Wednesday at their next scheduled public meeting.
Lozano said he knew of no wrongdoing by city officials. Galvan has raised campaign funds for Lozano, he said, and that fundraising was legal.
“Everything that’s done in the city of Baldwin Park, including by me, is above board,” he said.
Baldwin Park City Councilwoman Monica Garcia said she also had not heard about the FBI’s search of Tafoya’s law office.
Garcia said she was surprised by the news and had never witnessed anything improper by Tafoya.
“He’s been an effective city attorney for us for seven years,” she said. “I would just say let the authorities investigate and let justice prevail.”
After this article was published online, the city of Baldwin Park issued a statement saying it had not been contacted by FBI agents and noting that Tafoya is not an employee but works for the city on a contract.
“Baldwin Park’s officials recognize the need to continue to be transparent and to maintain public confidence; the City will cooperate fully with federal authorities if necessary,” the statement said.
California voters legalized the possession and sale of recreational cannabis in 2016, but left it up to cities and counties to decide whether they would allow businesses in their jurisdictions to manufacture, distribute and sell cannabis products.
Most cities still prohibit cannabis businesses from operating within their borders, and those that do allow pot operations typically place strict limits on the number of licenses they issue as well as their locations. With permits limited, it is speculated that they could be worth millions of dollars, and competition for them can be fierce.
Baldwin Park officials continued the city’s ban on retail sales of cannabis but decided to allow local manufacturing, distribution and laboratory testing of the drug. City officials began awarding licenses in late 2017, and have said the maximum number of permits they’ll allow is 25.
The city’s approval process erupted in controversy in 2017 after the council granted one business, Rukli Inc., an exclusive permit to distribute cannabis produced in the city. The arrangement prompted a resident and a cannabis business to file a court action alleging that the city was giving Rukli a monopoly over distribution and asking a judge to set aside the contract’s exclusivity provisions. A judge denied their request.


latimes--2020-11-03--Mail-in ballots flagged for rejection hit 21,000; Black, Latino voters rejected at higher rate

In Nevada , about 4,000 votes cast by mail so far won ’ t be counted unless voters can explain discrepancies between their ballot signatures and registration forms .
In Florida , the same is true for nearly 4,000 voters in three populous counties .
And in North Carolina , nearly 8,000 mail-in ballots have been flagged for rejection , many because they lack a witness signature .
As electoral workers begin processing votes across the country this election day , more than 60 million will be mail-in ballots that can be rejected if they have not been properly submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2018 general election and 1 % in 2016 , which proved decisive in some close races .
An early snapshot of rejection rates reported thus far in Nevada , Florida , North Carolina and other battleground states show a mixed picture : Although overall rejection rates are generally lower than in past elections , the votes of Black people and Latinos are being rejected at higher rates than those of white Americans .
The mail-in voting system has never been tested on such a massive scale , leaving open the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of mistakes on their ballots .
Those errors can include failing to sign the ballot , or signing in a style that doesn ’ t match what ’ s on the voter ’ s registration forms or driver ’ s license .
In some competitive races , those challenged votes could play a deciding role .
More than 21,000 mail-in ballots thus far have been slated for disqualification in battleground states that have begun processing and reporting ballots , according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of data from election officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data on disqualified ballots is incomplete and could change as voters correct , or “ cure , ” ballots slated for rejection .
In six of the eight swing states analyzed by The Times , the law requires elections officials to notify voters of perceived errors and give them a chance to cure their ballots .
There is one positive sign in the early ballot data : The rate of ballots that have been challenged or disqualified by elections officials so far this year is lower — in some places , significantly — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 presidential election , according to the Times ’ analysis .
“ By and large , voting is proceeding smoothly , ” said Bob Bauer , a legal advisor for former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign .
“ The rejection rates of ballots are falling well below what many believed would be the case.
” Early numbers from North Carolina and Georgia show Black and Latino voters are roughly three times as likely to have their ballots rejected as white voters , according to data from the U.S .
Elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern from past elections where Black and Latino voters ’ mail-in votes were disqualified at higher rates .
A study of the 2018 general election in Florida found ballots cast by Black , Latino and other non-white voters were discarded at more than twice the rate of their white peers .
The screening of mail-in ballots in many states can be prone to human error .
That ’ s because election officials have to verify that the signature on a ballot envelope matches the one on a voter ’ s driver license or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , workers with little to no training in handwriting analysis use their own eyes to verify a signature in as little as five seconds .
In the 2016 presidential election , mismatched signatures were the leading cause of rejection for mail-in ballots , according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission , which surveys voting municipalities to document elections .
Rejection rates vary widely by state , with New York , Arkansas and Kentucky leading the nation in 2018 .
California was in the middle of the pack .
About 161,000 out of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , or 2 % .
Until recently , voters in many states didn ’ t have the opportunity to cure ballots .
But a wave of new laws and legal settlements over the last two years have created new processes in a dozen states , including Florida , Virginia , Michigan and North Dakota , to notify voters of problems and give them a chance to correct them .
In California , voters have the chance to correct problems with their signatures until Dec. 1 , the latest deadline in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and her husband put their ballots in an official drop box almost a month ago .
Then she checked the status of the ballots online and saw that his had been accepted , but hers had not .
An election official told her that the ballot had been flagged for a perceived signature mismatch .
It was the first time she had voted by mail , she said , and she didn ’ t know that they would check her ballot envelope signature against her driver ’ s license .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which must have set off a red flag somewhere , ” Ganon said .
“ My normal writing is pretty scribbly.
” Thankfully , she said , the process to correct the problem was simple : She filled out a one-page affidavit and returned it by email .
That opportunity to correct ballots doesn ’ t exist in many states , including a handful of battleground states where President Trump narrowly eked out victories in 2016 .
They include Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , where the bulk of the ballot processing can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are not required to provide a cure process .
Rejection rates have been far higher than the national average in large counties in swing states North Carolina and Pennsylvania .
In the Philadelphia suburb of Montgomery County , for example , some 8 % of mail ballots have been rejected so far .
Wake County , N.C. , home to the capital , Raleigh , has a 4 % rejection rate .
Miami-Dade County , the biggest county in Florida , has received nearly 490,000 mail-in ballots and has put aside almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other issues , said Roberto Rodriguez , spokesman for the county supervisor of elections .
More than 2,500 voters have also corrected issues with their ballots , meaning their votes will be counted , he said .
In Hillsborough County , the fourth-biggest county in Florida and home to Tampa , a team of elections workers are working to contact the 1,009 voters whose mail-in ballots have already been flagged for a perceived signature mismatch , said Gerri Kramer , a spokeswoman for the supervisor of elections .
A little more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cured and will be counted , Kramer said .
The remaining 463 voters whose ballots were flagged have until 5 p.m. Nov. 5 to fix the issue , she said .
Each voter will receive a letter notifying them of a problem with their ballot , Kramer said .
Elections workers are calling and emailing voters if they have provided that contact information , she said .
In Washoe County , Nev. , the elections office is “ busting at the seams , ” with one of its conference rooms stuffed with 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carmen , the assistant registrar of voters .
But Carmen said she was confident that the 650 or so voters whose ballots had signature mismatches in her county would get a chance to prove their identities .
In addition to alerting voters by mail , election workers are calling and sending emails to voters to notify them of any problems with their ballots .
Voters are then required to send in a photocopy of a government-issued ID by Nov. 12 .
The county , home to Reno , has received 118,000 mail-in ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are definitely working long hours to get them all processed , ” she said .

In Nevada, about 4,000 votes cast by mail so far won’t be counted unless voters can explain discrepancies between their ballot signatures and registration forms.
In Florida, the same is true for nearly 4,000 voters in three populous counties.
And in North Carolina, nearly 8,000 mail-in ballots have been flagged for rejection, many because they lack a witness signature.
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As electoral workers begin processing votes across the country this election day, more than 60 million will be mail-in ballots that can be rejected if they have not been properly submitted. The rejection rate reached 1.4% in the 2018 general election and 1% in 2016, which proved decisive in some close races.
An early snapshot of rejection rates reported thus far in Nevada, Florida, North Carolina and other battleground states show a mixed picture: Although overall rejection rates are generally lower than in past elections, the votes of Black people and Latinos are being rejected at higher rates than those of white Americans.
The mail-in voting system has never been tested on such a massive scale, leaving open the possibility that some mail-in voters could be disenfranchised because of mistakes on their ballots. Those errors can include failing to sign the ballot, or signing in a style that doesn’t match what’s on the voter’s registration forms or driver’s license. In some competitive races, those challenged votes could play a deciding role.
More than 21,000 mail-in ballots thus far have been slated for disqualification in battleground states that have begun processing and reporting ballots, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of data from election officials and the U.S. Elections Project.
The data on disqualified ballots is incomplete and could change as voters correct, or “cure,” ballots slated for rejection. In six of the eight swing states analyzed by The Times, the law requires elections officials to notify voters of perceived errors and give them a chance to cure their ballots.
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There is one positive sign in the early ballot data: The rate of ballots that have been challenged or disqualified by elections officials so far this year is lower — in some places, significantly — than in the 2018 midterms or the 2016 presidential election, according to the Times’ analysis.
“By and large, voting is proceeding smoothly,” said Bob Bauer, a legal advisor for former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. “The rejection rates of ballots are falling well below what many believed would be the case.”
Early numbers from North Carolina and Georgia show Black and Latino voters are roughly three times as likely to have their ballots rejected as white voters, according to data from the U.S. Elections Project.
That aligns with a disturbing pattern from past elections where Black and Latino voters’ mail-in votes were disqualified at higher rates. A study of the 2018 general election in Florida found ballots cast by Black, Latino and other non-white voters were discarded at more than twice the rate of their white peers.
The screening of mail-in ballots in many states can be prone to human error. That’s because election officials have to verify that the signature on a ballot envelope matches the one on a voter’s driver license or voter registration card. In some jurisdictions, workers with little to no training in handwriting analysis use their own eyes to verify a signature in as little as five seconds.
In the 2016 presidential election, mismatched signatures were the leading cause of rejection for mail-in ballots, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which surveys voting municipalities to document elections.
Rejection rates vary widely by state, with New York, Arkansas and Kentucky leading the nation in 2018. California was in the middle of the pack. About 161,000 out of its 8.2 million mail ballots were rejected in 2018, or 2%.
Until recently, voters in many states didn’t have the opportunity to cure ballots. But a wave of new laws and legal settlements over the last two years have created new processes in a dozen states, including Florida, Virginia, Michigan and North Dakota, to notify voters of problems and give them a chance to correct them.
In California, voters have the chance to correct problems with their signatures until Dec. 1, the latest deadline in the country.
Palms resident Sydney Ganon, 31, and her husband put their ballots in an official drop box almost a month ago. Then she checked the status of the ballots online and saw that his had been accepted, but hers had not.
An election official told her that the ballot had been flagged for a perceived signature mismatch. It was the first time she had voted by mail, she said, and she didn’t know that they would check her ballot envelope signature against her driver’s license.
“I did a very careful, legible signature, which must have set off a red flag somewhere,” Ganon said. “My normal writing is pretty scribbly.”
Thankfully, she said, the process to correct the problem was simple: She filled out a one-page affidavit and returned it by email.
That opportunity to correct ballots doesn’t exist in many states, including a handful of battleground states where President Trump narrowly eked out victories in 2016. They include Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the bulk of the ballot processing cannot begin until election day, and where officials are not required to provide a cure process.
Rejection rates have been far higher than the national average in large counties in swing states North Carolina and Pennsylvania. In the Philadelphia suburb of Montgomery County, for example, some 8% of mail ballots have been rejected so far. Wake County, N.C., home to the capital, Raleigh, has a 4% rejection rate.
Miami-Dade County, the biggest county in Florida, has received nearly 490,000 mail-in ballots and has put aside almost 2,600 with missing signatures, mismatched signatures and other issues, said Roberto Rodriguez, spokesman for the county supervisor of elections. More than 2,500 voters have also corrected issues with their ballots, meaning their votes will be counted, he said.
In Hillsborough County, the fourth-biggest county in Florida and home to Tampa, a team of elections workers are working to contact the 1,009 voters whose mail-in ballots have already been flagged for a perceived signature mismatch, said Gerri Kramer, a spokeswoman for the supervisor of elections.
A little more than half of the flagged signatures have been cured and will be counted, Kramer said. The remaining 463 voters whose ballots were flagged have until 5 p.m. Nov. 5 to fix the issue, she said.
Each voter will receive a letter notifying them of a problem with their ballot, Kramer said. Elections workers are calling and emailing voters if they have provided that contact information, she said.
In Washoe County, Nev., the elections office is “busting at the seams,” with one of its conference rooms stuffed with 300 boxes of voting materials, said Heather Carmen, the assistant registrar of voters.
But Carmen said she was confident that the 650 or so voters whose ballots had signature mismatches in her county would get a chance to prove their identities. In addition to alerting voters by mail, election workers are calling and sending emails to voters to notify them of any problems with their ballots. Voters are then required to send in a photocopy of a government-issued ID by Nov. 12.
The county, home to Reno, has received 118,000 mail-in ballots, with 84,000 already tabulated.
“We are definitely working long hours to get them all processed,” she said.
Times staff writer Evan Halper contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-03--Victim in fatal stabbing at downtown L.A. jewelry store is  identified

The victim of a fatal stabbing at a downtown L.A. jewelry store was identified by authorities on Wednesday .
Eshagh Natanzadeh , 62 , of Beverly Hills died at the scene Tuesday , according to the Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office .
Police first reported that the death was the result of a shooting after a neighbor reported gunshots , but later they said it was a stabbing .
The call came in shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday , Officer Drake Madison said .
A neighbor reported broken glass in the 700 block of South Broadway , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person had been shot .
“ It came in as shooting and shots fired , but it ended up being a stabbing , ” Madison said .
By 10 a.m. , a crowd had gathered in front of the store while police officers rolled yellow tape around the crime scene .
Some people sobbed , while others comforted them .
An officer confirmed that a male victim had been pronounced dead at the scene .
Madison said the stabbing was not being classified as a robbery at this time .
“ The investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s a homicide , but what led up to all of that , I have no idea .
That ’ s what the investigation is going to be trying to figure out.
” At least 10 LAPD officers responded to the call , along with paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department .
Shopkeepers from several nearby businesses declined to comment about the death when reached by phone Tuesday morning .
There was nothing to indicate any connection to the election or concerns of unrest , Madison said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was connected to the jewelry shop , and the business ’ phone line had been disconnected .
As of Wednesday , no arrests have been made and no suspect description is available .
Police are asking anyone with information to call ( 877 ) 527-3247 .

LAPD Officer Martinez clears the corner of South Broadway and 7th Street, where a man was stabbed to death inside a jewelry store Tuesday.
The victim of a fatal stabbing at a downtown L.A. jewelry store was identified by authorities on Wednesday.
Eshagh Natanzadeh, 62, of Beverly Hills died at the scene Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Police first reported that the death was the result of a shooting after a neighbor reported gunshots, but later they said it was a stabbing.
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The call came in shortly before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Officer Drake Madison said. A neighbor reported broken glass in the 700 block of South Broadway, along with an initial statement indicating that a person had been shot.
“It came in as shooting and shots fired, but it ended up being a stabbing,” Madison said.
By 10 a.m., a crowd had gathered in front of the store while police officers rolled yellow tape around the crime scene. Some people sobbed, while others comforted them.
A man reacts outside a crime scene Tuesday near South Broadway and 7th Street, where a man was stabbed to death in downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
An officer confirmed that a male victim had been pronounced dead at the scene.
Madison said the stabbing was not being classified as a robbery at this time.
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“The investigation is now underway,” he said. “It’s a homicide, but what led up to all of that, I have no idea. That’s what the investigation is going to be trying to figure out.”
At least 10 LAPD officers responded to the call, along with paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Shopkeepers from several nearby businesses declined to comment about the death when reached by phone Tuesday morning.
There was nothing to indicate any connection to the election or concerns of unrest, Madison said.
Officials Wednesday could not confirm whether Natanzadeh was connected to the jewelry shop, and the business’ phone line had been disconnected.
As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made and no suspect description is available. Police are asking anyone with information to call (877) 527-3247.