Registrar of Voters Is Placed on Leave

With three elections quickly approaching and controversy growing over the scheduling of one of the votes on a Jewish holiday, Registrar of Voters Steve Rodermund was placed on administrative leave this week without explanation.

“It’s a personnel matter,” said County Executive Officer Thomas G. Mauk, who relieved Rodermund of his duties Thursday.

Rodermund did not return calls seeking comment. Deputy Registrar Neal Kelley will run the Department of Voters during Rodermund’s absence.

Rodermund’s removal comes a little more than a month before a special primary election scheduled Oct. 4 in the race to fill Christopher Cox’s 48th Congressional District seat. The Newport Beach Republican resigned in July to become chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.