Judge hopefuls get campaign boost

-- Lolita Harper

Newport-Mesa write-in candidates waging an uphill battle to defeat a

controversial Orange County judge found their incline reduced a bit

Friday after a court ordered that polling places announce the

availability of write-in candidate information.

Election officials were ordered to post signs in polling places

telling voters they can request a list of all write-in candidates. The

ruling gives an advantage to a handful of local judgeship hopefuls,

including Costa Mesa Councilwoman Karen Robinson and former Pilot

columnist and attorney Gay Sandoval, who have waged a battle to unseat

Superior Court Judge Ronald C. Kline and have to rely on voters to

remember and then write in their names correctly. Kline, whose name is

the only one that will appear on the ballot, faces charges of child

molestation and possessing child pornography.

Lists of write-in candidates have always been available by request,

but few voters are aware they have the option to ask for them.