First published in the Nov. 5 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
Election Day is only days away and a large majority of Burbank voters have yet to submit their ballots, which must be cast by 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
In recent years, less than half of registered Burbank voters actually cast a ballot. Between 2014 and 2016, for example, Burbank had more than 60,000 registered voters with an average of 26,807 votes cast per election cycle, with voter participation decreasing during midterm election cycles, according to the office of the Burbank City Clerk.
Though some voting centers have been open to Burbank residents since Oct. 29, there will still be many opportunities for residents to vote in person. Voting centers are located at the Buena Vista Branch, McCambridge Recreation Center, Robert Gross Park, Magnolia Park United Methodist Church and the ACF Beshir Mardirossian Youth Center. Voters can cast ballots at any of these centers for four consecutive days leading up to the voting deadline. The polls will be open Nov. 5-7 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Ballots sent by mail must be postmarked no later 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Residents can also submit the ballots mailed to them in person at polling centers during those periods.
Mail-in ballots were sent to voters last month and can be submitted via mail with no postage necessary or dropped off at the official L.A. County 24-hour vote-by-mail drop boxes located at Burbank City Hall, Joslyn Adult Center, Ralph Foy Park, and the Buena Vista branch of the Burbank Public Library.
Burbank residents will vote on several high-ranking offices, including those of governor, senator and U.S. representative for District 28, which includes Burbank.
Three of the five seats on the Burbank City Council are up for grabs. The five candidates are social worker Nikki Perez, environmental advocate Tamala Takahashi, incumbent Councilwoman Sharon Springer, Burbank City Clerk Zizette Mullins and diversity advocate Carmenita Helligar.
Two incumbents, Mayor Jess Talamantes and Councilman Bob Frutos, did not file papers for reelection. Their terms expire on Dec. 19 when new members will be sworn in.
“I am delighted with the choice of City Council candidates this election cycle in Burbank,” former Burbank Mayor Marsha Ramos told the Leader in an interview in August. “All are women, a first for Burbank. The candidates are diverse in thought and experience, smart and courageous,” she said.
Each candidate for the City Council has served on at least one city board.
Voters will also be seating two of seven candidates on the Board of Education of the BUSD.
Incumbent Cher Tabet — who currently serves as president of the school board — is seeking reelection, and board member Steve Frintner will retire after his term expires. Other candidates vying for the position include parent and former school board member Larry Applebaum, parent and probation officer Harutyun Ketikyan, Megaverse Principal Michael Morgan, game artist James L. Morrison, parent and education administrator Abby Pontzer Kamkar and global workplace director Brian J. Smith.
With City Clerk Zizette Mullins now running for council, the City Clerk’s race is between public school administrator Kimberley Clark, financial annuity consultant Jamal El-Amin and administrative analyst Viviana Garzon.
City Treasurer incumbent Krystle Palmer will run unopposed this election cycle.
To learn more about the candidates and their stances on issues surrounding the district, visit Burbankleader.outlooknewspapers.com.
