Breathing the Rare Air of Common Sense

Ari L. NoonanBreaking News, NewsLeave a Comment

Mr. Weissman, second from right, with Councilman Thomas Small, City Atty. Carol Schwab, second from left, and attorney Lisa Vidra

Which is more important to Culver City:

 

  • Turning out uncommonly large numbers of voters or
  • Drawing informed voters?

 

You decide.

 

It is 99 percent you won’t get both in the same election.

 

Culver City and every other California community is about to be forced to roll all elections into the same day so that Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra can brag he expanded voter participation.

 

Although advocates have claimed that it is a brilliant money-saving scheme, difference is modest.

 

When confronted by a dilemma, where to turn?

 

Former City Councilman Andy Weissman, calm connoisseur of common sense, staunchly planted his feet.

 

Undefeated in his races for Council, largely because of his soothing manner at conflict points, he says:

 

“I have yet to be convinced that our municipal elections should be combined with the general election because we are going to be lost.

 

“We are going to be at the tail end of a ballot that has perhaps national votes, state votes, judicial candidates, county propositions, state initiatives.

 

‘Culver City’s municipal election will appear on page 27.

 

“I don’t know that the people who are going to be voting are going to be informed as to what the Culver City issues are.

 

“Or are they just going to be marking the ballot to get to the end because there are five more spots to fill out.

 

“The issue seems to be one of volume: You get a better turnout for a national election than for a municipal election.

 

“I have yet to be convinced,” said Mr. Weissman, “that you get a better-informed voter.

 

“Personally, I believe having voters who understand the issues and are voting on that basis, cast a more informed vote than just having numbers.”

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