Erroneous Korean Language Sample Ballots in Congressional Race

Dear friends,

On March 28, 2017, I gave testimony before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to express serious concern over the erroneous Korean language sample ballots for the 34th Congressional district that solely impacted our community. In a race where there is only one Korean-American candidate, our community consists of close to 18,700 registered Korean-American voters in this district.

We felt the urgency when the County Registrar/City Clerk's office could not quantify the scope of the problem during our press conference on March 24, 2017. Click to view SBS coverage

With support from AALDEF, KAFLA, OCA-GLA and UDLA, we submitted a formal letter to County Registrar/City Clerk Dean Logan and the LA County Board of Supervisors on March 28, requesting remedy to the problem and answers to questions affecting our voters. KAC's Letter to LA County Registrar/City Clerk's Office

Following the public hearing before the LA County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Logan provided for public record on March 29th, that based on their review, "it appears that substantially less than 777 voters may have been impacted..." In addition, he outlined the actions that were being taken to provide remedy to the problem. Mr. Logan's Statement. We encourage you to take full advantage of the County hotline if you have questions or any doubt regarding your vote by mail, 1-800-815-2666 (option 3 for Korean speakers).

Final Thought
Democracy only works when we partake in the process that many before us have fought to ensure; as lawful citizens of the United States, we must exercise the right to vote. 
 
If you live in the 34th Congressional district or know of anyone who has not cast their mail-in ballots, early voting at the polls begins this weekend (April 1 - 2) at Pio Pico Library (694 S. Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The formal primary election is on April 4th. Please take advantage of the opportunity to vote early in this election. 

This is the opportunity for the citizens in our community to stay informed, contribute to progressive change, and exercise the right to partake in strengthening the legacy and history established by those who battled and sacrificed before us.  This is why we, as a community, can stand where we are today.

Yours sincerely,
Joon Bang
Executive Director
Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles

Media Coverage: Los Angeles Times, Rafu Shimpo, WestsideToday

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