--- BARBARA L MURRAY <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 3. High immigrant population without the right to > vote that are low income and English is not their > first language.
I think that this is one of the reasons that resident alien voting rights in local elections are so important. If you reside in a neighborhood where there are fewer voters the political economy will extend to you less political voice and power to get your community's needs addressed. Geographic representation in Wards based on population(not voting population) addresses this concern to some extent but also leads to the situation where we have city council members elected with anywhere from less than 2,000 votes to nearly 9,000 votes. Considering the disparity in the number of people eligible to vote in various wards, individuals elected at large would seem to be more focused on the needs of those parts of the city with the most votes. While I believe that RT has shown concern for the welfare and needs of individuals and neighborhoods throughout the community, it would seem natural under the political structure to give more attention to those parts of the city with the highest concentration of voters. The disempowerment of high numbers of residents unable to vote under the current system most often occurs in neighborhoods at a political disadvantage to get their needs met. These same neighborhoods often already have other disadvantages in the political economy including higher concentrations of poverty, more transient populations such as students, and a higher percentage of the population that are minors and therefore unable to vote. By extending resident alien voting rights in local elections we would help restore some of the balance to the local political economy. The ability of residents to political advocate for the needs of their neighborhoods are enhanced when more residents can vote. RAV would help neighborhoods such as the West Bank amplify their voice politically. It would also encourage community cohesion by giving all residents reason to work together politically in ways that are currently not possible. I must say that I am distressed by the appearance of increased criminal activity on the West Bank which threatens not just residents and workers in the neighborhood but the comfort of students and employees at the U of M which is one of the areas economic engines. I have always enjoyed the West Bank but have visited less often since I was robbed at gun point this spring walking down Riverside in front of fairview university hospital. **I must say a thank you to the security staff at the hospital who waited with me for the police to come and provided me with a phone to call about my credit cards and even provided me with a ride home saying they could understand why I might not be comfortable waiting for the next bus!** David Strand Loring Park __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
