Deadline to Register to Vote in L.A.'s Election Coming Up

There is only one more week to register for the March 3 Los Angeles municipal election -- the deadline is Tuesday, Feb. 17. If recent history is any guide, however, many Angelenos will not take part. Fewer than a quarter of L.A.'s 1.8 million eligible voters cast ballots in the most recent election and a paltry 9.5 percent voted in a recent Los Angeles Unified school board special election.

Hence two measures on next month's ballot: both propose changes to city code that proponents say will boost voter turnout.

Measure 1 would change city election dates to even-numbered years, bringing them in line with state and federal elections, when more voters typically turn out. Measure 2 would do the same for Los Angeles Unified School District board elections. The two would go into effect in 2020.

In 2001, 34 percent of voters turned out for the mayoral election. Then in 2005, 28 percent of voters cast ballots for Antonio Villaraigosa. And in 2009, just 17 percent showed up to re-elect him. Contrast those numbers with turnout from an even-numbered year: More than 50 percent voted in the 2012 general election.

To see a sample ballot and information pamphlet, log onto the registrar's webpage and enter your address.