[EL] [Bulk] RE: If it were a World Cup of Democracy....

[David Ely]

I’ll readily concede that it is easier for a local campaign to affect the outcome of a low turnout, low interest election. The question for me is whether it is better at reflecting the actual representational interests of those governed by the local governments. If there are no structural differences in the interests of those who vote in off cycle elections from those who do not, then an election with fewer but better informed voters might well be better.  However, if there is a real difference in representational interests (renters vs homeowners, seniors vs families with children, high density vs low density…) then you may well have a representational problem.  Whether or not that representational problem can be fixed by more consolidated elections would of course depend on the ability of candidates to translate the different interests into meaningful votes, which as you point out might be largely lost in a crowded election. In some circumstance I expect it would make a real difference, but it would be quite interesting to see if there is any significant general difference in city government between cities with off cycle elections and cities with consolidated elections. 

 

From: Larry Levine [mailto:larrylevine at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 4:02 PM
To: 'David Ely'
Cc: Law-election at department-lists.uci.edu
Subject: [Bulk] RE: [EL] If it were a World Cup of Democracy....

 

First, TV and radio advertising rates are driven up by statewide candidates and ballot measures during the General Election season.  Second, many stations sell out their time at top dollar to ballot measures and tell down ballot races – even some statewide and state legislative races – that they are not selling time for those races. 

Third, stations that may broadcast debates during stand-alone municipal elections won’t appropriate the time when there are “bigger” issues and candidate campaigns to cover.

Fourth, the print media already is stretched for political coverage. In competition with statewide campaigns, coverage of local races will all but disappear. 

Finally, it’s not a matter of voters not being able to hear through the din; it’s a question of whether the municipal candidates and issues can break through to even make their messages.

Larry

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