NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL ELECTION CHALLENGE
Please note that all information submitted in this challenge is considered public information.

All challenges must be received by the Department no later than five (5) calendar days after the election date. (Deadline is 5pm on the 5th calendar day)

If you require assistance with completing this form, please contact the EmpowerLA Elections Division at (818) 293-8683.
04-02-16
Yes  
Laurie Fadness
13601 Gladstone Avenue, Sylmar, California 91342

(818) 970-0966
Concerns regarding BallotsCampaign Material IssuesElectioneering by candidatesInappropriate endorsements of candidate
The Sylmar Neighborhood Council (SNC) election of April 2, 2016 was illegally and severely affected by actions taken by four candidates who took, permitted and/or benefited from those actions which are violations of the “Candidate Guidelines” and the “Election Manual” that are deemed challengeable in the “Neighborhood Council Election Challenge Process”:

 

1) “Ballot Duplication (by a candidate or stakeholder)”;

2) “Neighborhood Council Board Endorsement of a Candidate or Slate of Candidates”;

3) “Electioneering by Candidate(s);

4) “Incorrect Ballots (which caused voters to vote either significantly more or less for a qualified or incorrect candidate)”; and

5) “Running Board Slates” without “written consent.”

 

An illegal “Sample Ballot With Recommendations” (photo attached) not produced by the City was distributed in the park and in the parking lot near the polling place.  It shows seven candidates’ names printed in green with green check marks next to their names (including Ann Job, Diane Valencia, Kathy Grubert and Maria Silva).  Also, three candidates’ names are printed in red and one in black with their names crossed out by a line; those four lost (Roy Smith, George Ortega, Donald Neal and Laurie Fadness).

 

People say the illegal “Sample Ballot,” because of the title and having a list of Board Seat categories, candidates’ names and check boxes next to the names, appears to be an official government-produced document.  A clear implication is that the SNC endorsed the candidates whose names are printed in green with green check marks next to their names and that the candidates whose names are printed in red and/or are crossed out are not endorsed or no longer are candidates.  Ann Job, the SNC Election Manager, took no action to prevent its distribution.

 

Diane Valencia (Vice-President of Administration), Kathy Grubert (Vice-President of Communications) and Maria Silva (Public Relations Coordinator) also are SNC Executive Committee Members and work closely with Ms. Job.  The names of all four are on the illegal “Sample Ballot” in green with check marks next to their names.  All four know or should have known not to have distributed, allowed and/or not acted to prevent the distribution of the illegal “Sample Ballot” and should be held responsible and accountable for and benefited from this, especially as Executive Committee Members and with Ms. Job being the two-time Election Manager, current President and a 3 1/2–year Board Member.

 



The Election Manual says “VIII. Running Board Slates.  A group of candidates may run as a slate so long as all candidates provide written consent to agreeing to be on the slate.”  The illegal “Sample Ballot” did not have our “written consent” to have our names on it.  If it was intended to be a “Sample Ballot,” as it is titled, that is illegal “Ballot Duplication.”  Either way, the flier is illegal.
Ms. Job, Ms. Valencia, Ms. Grubert, Ms. Silva should be disqualified; their elections should be nullified; they should be prevented from being sworn in or taking office as Sylmar Neighborhood Council Board Members; and they should be referred to the City Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.  If they are disqualified and prevented from taking office, the composition of the Board will change because there are candidates who received votes who then would fill those Board Seats.  This would allow legitimately elected candidates to become Board Members and serve the community.
Witness Information
ALL of your Witness information and Witness Statement needs to be included at this time. The Department will ONLY accept and review Witness information included at time of submission. You may have up to three (3) Witness Statements.
You can find the Witness Statement form here.
Witness 1 Contact Information
Witness 2 Contact Information
Witness 3 Contact Information
(626) 262-0774
 
Attach all supporting documentation
Before submitting, please include ALL supporting documentation HERE. The Department will ONLY process and review materials included at time of submission.
Signature
I affirm that I am a stakeholder in this Neighborhood Council who voted in the election and I have personal knowledge of the following challenge.
To submit, please click SAVE on the top right corner
Staff Response
IEA Dismissed
04-14-16
Created on April 10, 2016 at 10:45 PM (PDT). Last updated by Paramazian, Sevak on May  2, 2016 at  7:15 PM (PDT). Owned by Anonymous.
Anonymous
Sevak Paramazian
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