September 3, 2009 - Despite being deployed to fires, 10 were able to vote Tuesday

Paper: Reporter, The ( Vacaville, CA)
Title: Despite being deployed to fires, 10 were able to vote Tuesday
Date: September 3, 2009
Author: Published by The Reporter

A Solano County firefighter was among those who was able to vote in Tuesday's 10th Congressional District race despite being deployed to battle a wildfire in the Los Angeles area.

To ensure no voter in the congressional district -- or in Assembly District 51 -- was left out of the special election because of the wildfires, Secretary of State Debra Bowen coordinated with county elections officials, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the California Emergency Management Agency to distribute ballots and extend voting hours for emergency personnel serving in three fire-ravaged counties.

In all, 10 people were able to vote despite being deployed away from their home counties on Election Day, including one Solano County voter serving in Los Angeles County, according to a press release from Bowen's office. Further details on the voter were not released.

Bowen praised the coordination efforts it took to get ballots to eligible voters in wildfire zones across the state.

"I am pleased that our work made it possible for several Northern California firefighters to cast ballots while in Los Angeles County protecting our communities," added Dean Logan, Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk.