2001-11-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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205 Fife said he does not think that the Council forums which are now held could go on simultaneously with other elections. Mr. Fife also expressed concern about someone running on another's coattails. Mr. Dave Norris, 1508 Green Street, questioned which date would result in more civic energy, and said he feels keeping the election in May will do this. Ms. Nancy O'Brien, 501 9th Street, S.W., suggested that Council do nothing about the proposal, and said it is important that the populace feels like they want to participate. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Cox said he has read the League of Women Voters study of Falls Church, and asked if there is a provision in State law to move the elections back to May if Council does not like the results of moving it to November. Mr. Brown said he is not aware of any provision in State law to move the elections back, and said it would probably require a Charter amendment. Mr. Cox said he thinks Council needs to consider that issue. Ms. Richards said it is interesting point about the decline in voter turnout during Congressional elections. Mr. Cox noted that voter turnout in odd years is still low and may not yield the desired result. Mr, Cox said he is not yet persuaded that there will be greater participation if the elections are moved, and feels there may be other ways to accomplish this goal. Mr. Cox said he feels more voter education went on in the Council elections than was reflected in the vote. Mr. Cox said he would like to see more time spend on increasing voter education. Ms. Richards said there were interesting issues raised at the League of Women Voters fomm. She questioned whether a vote for Council in November would simply be a bi-product. She said Council is trying to answer questions about voter behavior without really having the information to do so. Ms. Richards said she was not encouraged by the amount of publicity given to the recent Board of Supervisors election. She also questions if more money would need to be spent to compete in the media market, and said she thinks probably it would. Ms. Richards said she is not in favor of taking action on this. She agreed that the City ought to be able to afford its own elections. Mr. Lynch said it is important that elections be contested, and feels that a shift to November would benefit democrats, but does not think it would be in the best interest of the public at large. Mr. Toscano said that the move may have unintended consequences that Council has not thought enough about. Mr. Toscano noted that the low ttumout in the last Congressional race was likely a result of the fact that there was only one uncontested seat on the ballot. Mr. Toscano expressed concern that the nominating process for November elections would be held at a time that people are not in town. He said there would be a different dynamic every election, and the majority of Council would be elected in a presidential election year. Mr. Toscano said he is not sure he supports doing anything right now. Mr. Caravati said he thinks these type of discussions are very important. He said that voter turnout in Council elections has been dismal, but does not feel moving the elections is a panacea to get people voting. Mr. Caravati said one does have to wonder why holding local elections in November is so right in so many other areas of the country. Mr. Caravati said it appears to be the mood of Council not to move forward with the proposal, but Council may want to consider requesting legislation that would allow moving elections to odd numbered years. He said Council may also want to have the League of Women Voters study the issue further.