The Music Center and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association have jointly announced their respective partnership with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office to host Vote Centers at two of L.A.’s iconic cultural landmarks: The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Hollywood Bowl.
While currently shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each campus will open to registered voters for an extended voting period from Saturday, Oct. 24 to Monday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Los Angeles County voters are able to vote at any Vote Center and no longer need to be assigned to a specific polling place. The new Ballot Marking Device, available at The Music Center and the Hollywood Bowl along with other County Vote Centers, makes it easy for voters to customize the voting experience to fit their needs. Voters can access 13 languages, adjust the touch screen to a comfortable angle, change the display settings such as text size and contrast or go through the ballot using a provided audio headset and control pad.
The Vote Centers at the Hollywood Bowl and The Music Center will provide safe, in-person voting; each venue will follow state and county public health and safety guidelines, including: voters must wear face coverings (coverings and gloves will be made available for voters if requested); hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry and exit of the Vote Center, as well as at key stations throughout the voting process; all Ballot Marking Devices and commonly touched surfaces at the Vote Center will be cleaned and disinfected after each voter; all in attendance must observe social distancing of six feet while waiting in line and throughout the check-in and voting process; and election workers must wear protective gloves and masks; among other practices.
Voters are encouraged to take measures to help expedite check-in and the voting process in order to limit their time inside the Vote Center (i.e., verifying their voter registration in advance, pre-marking their sample ballots, bringing their sample ballots with them, etc.).
“I thank The Music Center for taking a leading role in opening the doors of its Dorothy Chandler Pavilion so it can serve as a centrally located Vote Center for the upcoming General Election on November 3, which will provide local residents a safe space to either vote in person or drop off their ballot,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who represents the First District, which includes The Music Center. “I want this to be an accessible election for all voters, and this collaboration will ensure more people will get to conveniently cast their ballot. L.A. County will be in perfect harmony when we all exercise our right to vote this fall.”
“The Hollywood Bowl holds a special place in the hearts of Angelenos and now will also play a pivotal role in the General Election as a key Vote Center, conveniently located between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who represents the Third District, which includes the Hollywood Bowl. “I’m grateful to the LA Phil for heeding its civic duty and allowing one of the most recognizable spots in the county to be a polling place this fall. Arriving at the Hollywood Bowl to vote will undoubtedly be a memorable voting experience.”
