55Mountain View News Saturday, October 31, 2026 55Mountain View News Saturday, October 31, 2026 
YOU KNOW WHAT’S SCARIER 
THAN HALLOWEEN? PROP 39. 

Prop 39 is an Expensive Answer to a ProblemCalifornia Doesn’t Have 

By Assemblymember John Harabedian 

As chair of the Legislature’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee, I spend a lot of timeasking a simple question about government programs: does this work, and is it worthwhat it costs? Proposition 39 fails both tests.
Prop 39 would amend California’s constitution to require government-issued ID tovote in person and the last four digits of an ID number on every mail ballot envelope,
checked against your registration before your ballot is counted. The nonpartisanLegislative Analyst’s Office estimates Prop 39 could cost state and local governmentstens of millions to low hundreds of millions of dollars every year. That’s money countieswould spend year after year, with no end date. Every dollar spent administering a newlayer of paperwork is a dollar not spent on schools, public safety, or the services our 
communities desperately need. 

Prop 39’s backers tried to tell voters otherwise, and struck out. In their official ballotargument, they claimed that the measure would “save millions of dollars each election.” 
In August, a Sacramento judge ordered that claim be removed from the state voterguide, as it was “objectively untrue,” and directly contradicted the LAO’s findings. 

JOE NORMAL 


AUTUMN’S CLOSING IN 


5-SONG EP • OCTOBER 23, 2026 


“AN AMERICAN RAY DAVIES”
— Americana UK Magazine
Independent Rock / Americana 
Los Angeles, California 


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performer whose music features jangly guitars, big melodies and 
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An active artist since founding ’80s Hollywood underground 
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while touring previously as guitarist with artists Dramarama and Gene 
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AUTUMN’S CLOSING IN 


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LISTEN / DOWNLOAD / MEDIA 


Spotify — Autumn’s Closing In — 5-Song EP 
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EPK — photos, bio & press 


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JoeNormalUSA.com • JoeNormalUSA@gmail.com • Los Angeles, CA 



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LAPD OFFICER SUSPECTED OF ATTEMPTING 
TO MEET MINOR IN MONROVIA ARRESTED

 MONROVIA (CNS) - A Los Angeles Police Department officer suspected of attempting to meet aminor for lewd purposes in Monrovia has been arrested, the department confirmed last week.

 ``We are aware of an arrest involving a department employee. The department is fully cooperatingwith the investigation,'' an LAPD statement said.

 Monrovia Police Department officers responded around 10 p.m. Thursday in the 300 block of WestOlive Avenue. Multiple reports indicate that 31-year-old Leonardo A. Ruiz was arrested after beingconfronted by several men who identified themselves as members of a social media-based ''catch 
a predator'' group. The men reportedly believed the off-duty officer was in the area to meet with a 
16-year-old.

 Los Angeles County jail records confirmed that Ruiz was booked and later released pending furtherinvestigation.

 Fox11 reported, citing retired LAPD Detective Moses Castillo, that Ruiz was released without charges,
though his release does not necessarily mean the investigation has concluded. ''No charges were filed 
pending further investigation,'' Castillo said, adding that these are very serious allegations. 

FEDERAL COURT DENIES DOJ REQUEST 
TO SET ASIDE BALLOTS AHEAD OF 
NOVEMBER 3 GENERAL ELECTION 

Ruling affirms election procedures and reinforces protections for eligible voters 

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Loganwelcomes today's federal court decision denying the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) emergencyrequest to set aside ballots cast by Los Angeles County residents based on unverified claims of voterineligibility. 

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, reinforces Los Angeles County’s continuedadministration of the November 3 General Election in accordance with long-established state andfederal laws, procedures, and statutory timelines. 

The court emphasized that established election procedures must be respected, stating: “This Court will 
not deprive Californians who have met the requirements for voter registration of their fundamentalright because of Plaintiff’s unfounded allegations.” 

The court also identified significant legal concerns with the DOJ’s proposed actions, finding that therequested relief would likely violate several longstanding federal protections, including: 

• National Voter Registration Act (NVRA): Protects voters against systematic removal effortsimmediately preceding a federal election.
• Voting Rights Act: Protects the rights of eligible voters to cast ballots and have their votes 
counted. 
• Civil Rights Act: Requires consistent standards and procedures when determining votereligibility. 
“Our office takes voter eligibility seriously, and any credible evidence of unlawful voting warrantsappropriate review. But claims of unlawful voting must be supported by verifiable evidence, notassumptions,” said Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan. “Today’s ruling reinforces what wehave maintained throughout this process: election integrity and the protection of eligible voters gohand in hand. Our established procedures are grounded in state and federal law, and we will continuecarrying out our responsibilities with accuracy, transparency, and accountability voters deserve.” 

While additional judicial review remains possible, Los Angeles County remains confident in the legalfoundation of its election procedures and believes today's detailed ruling provides a strong basis for its 
continued application. 

Los Angeles County maintains multiple layers of safeguards throughout the election process, includingvoter registration verification, ballot signature verification, secure ballot processing, and opportunitiesfor public observation. These procedures protect election integrity while ensuring every eligible votercan participate, and every valid ballot is counted accurately. 

“Our focus remains on the voters we serve,” Logan added. “With Election Day approaching, we wantevery eligible voter to feel confident that their rights are protected, their ballots are secure, and theirvotes will be counted accurately. The best way to demonstrate confidence in our elections is throughparticipation, and we encourage every voter to make their voice heard.” 

Voting Continues Across Los Angeles County 

Voting is underway at Vote Centers and Official Ballot Drop Boxes throughout Los Angeles County.
Beginning Saturday, October 31, all 646 Vote Centers will be open, allowing voters to cast their ballotsat any location in the County, regardless of where they live. 

Voters may also return their completed Vote by Mail ballots at any Vote Center or one of the County's 
429 official ballot drop boxes. 

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, Vote Centers will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM. 

For official election information, voting locations, and ballot tracking resources, visit LAVOTE.GOV. 

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