Many Voters Cite Measure L as the Main Draw in Today's Election

It’s been a highly-publicized, contentious race for the Los Angeles City Council District 4 seat. Stephen Box and Tomas O’Grady are both hoping to unseat incumbent Tom LaBonge in today’s election. District 4 spans through Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, and the North Hollywood Arts District.

NoHo has perhaps seen its neighborhood change more drastically over the past decade under LaBonge's guide than any other, and it has to decide who can best look after voters in its eclectic enclave. At a polling place on Otsego Street, voters were conflicted on whether to keep their current councilmember or elect a new voice.

“I met LaBonge and he’s a very nice person, but I was trying to figure out if Box was better, and at the last minute, I switched [to Box],” said 77-year-old Bruce Marder.

Measure L was a “key element” in this election, said Marder, who believes that voters will turn out today because of the city’s financial crisis.

“A lot of people use the libraries. A lot of students use the computers. It’s a very important project,” he said.

Other voters cited as their reason for voting in the election, but some were concerned about the ballot measures that promise to bring revenue to a cash-strapped city.

Stephen Haase was in support of , which would put a $1.44 per barrel tax on oil produced in the city.

“I voted 'Yes' on [Measure O] because I think we do need additional sources of revenue,” he said.  

Hasse also voted 'Yes' on Measure L. The , nestled in the North Hollywood Park, is currently closed on Sundays and Mondays. Polling places opened today before the library did, at 12:30 p.m. The measure would gradually restore the library’s former daily hours.

A neighbor of Haase’s greeted him after he finished voting.

“Are you here for the libraries, too? I was voting because of the libraries, that got me over here,” she said.

As for the district’s councilmember, Haase decided to go with the incumbent.

“I’m new to this district, so he was the only one I was familiar with,” he said. 

Over at a District 2 polling place in Valley Village, extending library hours was also a top priority for residents. 

"When libraries lack funding, they close earlier, leaving less places for kids to go to that are safe and benefit their education," said 25-year-old Lauren DeNitto. 

DeNitto, a social worker, said that children and teenagers need a place to go to after school where they can complete their homework while they wait for their parents to get out of work. 

Check back later today for more election coverage. 

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