BALLOTING SET TO GO - OFFICIALS PROBLEMS ANTICIPATED, HEADED OFF BY COUNTY.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder Conny McCormack said Monday that preparations for today's election have ``never looked better'' and she expects everything to go more smoothly than during the nightmarish March primary.

``We are ready and waiting for the voters to show up at 7 a.m.,'' McCormack said. ``I really feel the preparations have never looked better. We're in good shape, and everyone is feeling very confident that this election will go smoothly.''

Typically, on the three days before a statewide election, McCormack's office experiences 150 to 200 cancellations by poll inspectors, who have the election supplies to open the county's 4,922 precincts.

Only seven inspectors had canceled by Monday, compared with an unprecedented 400 inspectors who canceled in March and 231 inspectors who simply failed to show on election day. As a result, 121 polling locations opened late, and one never opened.

``We've had a wonderful weekend getting all the supplies placed, and all the inspectors have confirmed,'' McCormack said, adding she had a team of workers call all the inspectors to confirm their participation.

In the March election, 409 churches, schools and other sponsors of polling locations canceled - twice the usual number.

For this election, a record low of 47 sites canceled, and those have been relocated. The county is posting signs at canceled precincts and also has mailed cards to voters originally scheduled to vote there, advising them of the new polling locations.

``We've seen the community stepping up this time to help out,'' McCormack said. ``I think it's a combination of recruiting more poll workers, the publicity and that the problems in March seemed to have gotten us more sympathy and understanding when we try to recruit poll workers.''

The biggest problem McCormack faces in today's election is the large number of voters who didn't vote in the March primary - and who may not be aware that their voting locations have changed. About one-fifth of county voters were assigned new polling places this year.

McCormack encouraged everyone to check the back of their sample ballots to find out where their polling places are.

GOP political consultant Allan Hoffenblum said he has a hunch today's election will run smoothly, mainly because only 50 percent of the electorate is expected to bother to vote.

``One problem the county registrar-recorder doesn't have to worry about is long lines,'' he said. ``I don't think it's going to be a heavy turnout, except in those areas that have some effective get-out-the-vote campaigns, such as the Eastside and some parts of the San Fernando Valley where grass-roots for secession are particularly strong, but I think that will be spotty at best.''

McCormack said she expects a smoother election today because so many county workers and students have volunteered.

Of the more than 23,000 poll workers who will report to duty today, a record 3,048 are county workers, of which 54 are ``VIPs,'' including Supervisor Gloria Molina, Chief Administrative Officer David Janssen and 12 county department heads.

McCormack's office has also recruited 1,554 high school seniors and 184 political science students from California State University, Long Beach.

Of the 477,560 absentee ballots issued this election, 191,755 had been returned by Friday, down slightly from the 1998 gubernatorial election. However, most absentee ballots are routinely returned in the four days leading up to and including Election Day.

The number of voters who cast ballots via the new touch-screen system at 21 sites from Oct. 22 through Nov. 1 was 15,554, down from 21,962 in the November 2000 election.

``I was disappointed with the turnout on touch-screen, but I think it's more a reflection of the election,'' McCormack said.

McCormack said voters can still use the touch-screen system until 8 p.m. today at her Norwalk headquarters, 12400 Imperial Highway.

After the polls close, poll workers from 4,922 voting precincts take their ballots and supplies to one of 75 established collection centers. Sheriff's deputies transport the ballots - via car or helicopter, depending on the distance - from the collection centers to the tabulation center in Norwalk.