By Mary O’KEEFE

The March 2020 election is a change for California. In the past, the primaries were held in June. The change means California joins other states in so-called “Super Tuesday” when about eight states vote in primary elections. Previous primaries in California took place well after other states had voted, lessening the impact of California voters. Supporters of the March move state moving the date to March will allow California’s voice, and choice, to be in play. In the past by the time the primaries rolled around candidates had pretty much been chosen.

“I think, from my perspective, it allows California to have an impact on a national presence in the election,” said Lora De La Portilla, president of the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club. “[In the past] California didn’t have the opportunity to influence the trajectory of the candidates.”

Not everyone is happy about the date change, though.

“No not really,” said Lois Billings, president of the Glendale Burbank Republican Assembly of the new move. “Speaking for me and others [I have spoken to] we would rather have it in June. That would give us more time to campaign. I think we feel this is rushed … and most people I speak with don’t like the changes.”

De La Portilla, however, feels the move to March 2020 is an important one especially due to the size of the state and that if California were its own nation it would have the fifth largest economy in the world.

“This time their votes can make a difference,” De La Portilla said.

Although Billings may not be happy with the new primary date she is excited about the upcoming election.

“Everyone is excited to back their own candidates. We have so many wonderful patriotic people in our area,” she said.

De La Portilla said she is also excited about the upcoming election and is busy not only with being the president of CCDC but also because she is a delegate, appointed by State Senator Anthony Portantino, to the California Democratic Party. She is also secretary of the California Democratic Party Business and Professional Caucus.

Both Billings and De La Portilla are also looking at the new voting system in Los Angeles County.

“I am in favor of the new system,” De La Portilla said, adding that she does like that there is a paper backup for the ballot. “Members of our club have gone to a presentation for the new system. I haven’t received any negative feedback.”

She added that with the new system voters can go to polling places closer to them, instead of assigned locations, is one of the positive changes.

“It is so much more convenient, but there is a layer of confusion,” she said. “Like with any new system there are going to be hiccups. I don’t think that’s going to be a deterrent.”

Billings is concerned about the new system and how older voters will interact with it.

“I watched a demonstration of the new system and there were some who were very perplexed,” she said.

The Glendale Burbank Republican Assembly will be hosting an informative meeting with a representative from LA County on Jan. 22 on the new voting system.

Both the Republican Assembly and Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club have invited people to come to their upcoming meetings.

Glendale Burbank Republican Assembly meeting introducing the new voting system is the second part of an educational program. The first meeting in December is for members, the second on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. is open to the public. The meetings are held at the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, 4004 La Crescenta Ave. Tickets for the meeting is $25.

The Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club has a busy meeting on Jan. 19 with many candidates seeking endorsements and reaching out to members. The meeting is from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta. There is no charge to attend. There is a $35 membership fee for anyone who would like to join the CCDC.

  Mary Okeefe