Despite the best efforts of three Monterey County residents and their lawyers, it appears that the special election to fill Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado’s recently vacated District 15 Senate seat will take place in June.
The suit, which was filed about two weeks ago, claimed that the County of Monterey would be in violation of the Voting Rights Act by going ahead with the special election on June 22, as ordered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. It argued the speedy election date disenfranchised minority voters, did not allow enough time for the county to prepare and did not have a special federal clearance.
A three-judge panel in San Jose disagreed with that premise yesterday, submitting their final decision today, and allowing the special election to take place next month.
The lawsuit was backed by the Democratic Party, and supported by Democratic candidate and former Assemblymember John Laird. Most agree that a Democratic candidate would fare better if the vote were consolidated with the November national election.
As it stands now, Laird will face off with Republican Assembly member Sam Blakeslee in a mere 32 days.
