LOCAL : L.A. Voters May Tally Record Low

Confirming the fears of city election officials, a sparse 2.8% of eligible Los Angeles voters had shown up to vote at polling stations by midday today, the Los Angeles city clerk’s office said.

On Monday, worried that predictions of low voter turnout would only increase the apathy of Los Angeles voters, City Clerk Elias Martinez decided to forgo the usual election eve projection. Political experts have suggested, however, that the turnout might fall below the record low of 8.63%, set in 1983.

At stake in the election is the 7th District City Council seat held by Ernani Bernardi, who is being challenged by firefighter Lyle Hall. Two school board seats and community college board offices are also being contested, and voters in Inglewood and Compton will elect local officials.