ABSENTEE JAPS' VOTE CHALLENGED

Striking a spark in an otherwise dull city election campaign, James P. Kelly, 71-year-old campaigner for the City Council, yesterday assailed use of the absentee ballot by interned Japanese.

Kelly said he would seek a Superior Court injunction to forestall the counting of ballots cast by Seattle Japanese in evacuation camps.

"I believe their citizenship status is in some doubt," declared Kelly, who for many years was chief registration clerk in the city comptroller's office prior to his recent retirement.

"I will ask the courts to prevent the county auditor from issuing absentee ballots for the general election March 9, and will ask for an order prohibiting the counting of votes cast by the Japanese in next Tuesday's primary."

City Comptroller W.C. Thomas said only 44 Japanese have applied for absentee ballots.

Thomas estimates that less than 20 per cent of the city's voting registration will cast ballots. This means less than 35,000 persons will go to the polls. It will be the lightest election in many years.

Three Council positions are the only posts at stake. Six persons will be nominated.

It is conceded the three incumbent councilmen will be renominated in the primary and Mrs. Alice O'Leary Ralls, only woman in the race, and L.L. (Tony) Norton are regarded as likely to make a strong showing. The incumbent candidates are Bob Jones, James Scavotto and William L. Norton.

Other candidates are Michael J. Comber, a restaurant owner; William F. Johnson, automotive business proprietor; Roy Marx, who operates a barber shop and cigar store; Keith R. Peabody, ship rigger and former employe of the city treasurer; R.L. (Bob) Smith, locomotive engineer, and Andrew Remes, Communist Party official.