Some Hints for Voters Heading to the Polls-- Again

Question: So, there was a mayoral election last week. Why another one in May?

Answer: Los Angeles voters -- or rather 26% of them -- went to the polls for the first part of an election to choose the next mayor.

Among the candidates were five veterans of the local political scene: Mayor James K. Hahn, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg and Councilmen Bernard C. Parks and Antonio Villaraigosa.

But because no one candidate won a majority, the top two candidates, Villaraigosa and Hahn, will face each other in a runoff election on May 17.

Q: Aren't those the same candidates as four years ago?

A: Yes. Villaraigosa also finished first in April 2001, followed by Hahn, who beat Villaraigosa in the June runoff. But this election is not expected to be a carbon copy of the last. Villaraigosa, 52, is better known in Los Angeles than he was four years ago, and he has shown that he's willing to go toe-to-toe with Hahn.

Hahn, 54, on the other hand, has angered voters in some parts of the city. His fight against Valley secession alienated some voters there, and his drive to replace Parks as police chief left many African Americans feeling betrayed.

Q: What are the big issues in this election?

A: Villaraigosa will continue to portray the mayor as a weak leader who has failed to inspire residents or set a course for the city.

Villaraigosa is certain to keep criticizing the mayor for lax ethical standards, pointing out that a federal grand jury is investigating how Hahn's administration awarded city contracts.

No one has been charged with wrongdoing.

The mayor, meanwhile, will continue to defend his record, saying that he has offered the city strong, steady leadership and proved that he has the guts to make tough decisions.

Don't be surprised if things get ugly. Villaraigosa was criticized four years ago for not responding aggressively to last-minute negative ads.

This time, when Hahn attacked him on television in the final days before the March 8 election, Villaraigosa started airing his own critical ad the same day.

Q: Who can vote in this election?

A: Only people who live in the city of Los Angeles and who register to vote by May 2 can cast ballots.

That includes residents of communities such as Venice, Hollywood, San Pedro and Pacific Palisades, which are neighborhoods within the city of Los Angeles. People who live in cities such as Pasadena or Santa Monica are not eligible to vote.