Steven Clift wrote: > Considering the relatively poor turn-out in recent local elections, I > worry about the growing lack of legitimacy in local democracy across > Minnesota. > > Minneapolis/Hennepin County should lead the way in 2005 by pushing > for state law changes to allow voting my mail in our next election > for mayor/city council. > > The facts are in ... while voting by mail for any reason doesn't seem > to raise turn out much in national elections, it does in local > elections.
I don't know if this is a good idea. I'm not sure that we should run our government the same way that we do warranty registration for washing machines. I think that it might increase the participation of those who have only marginal knowledge of the issues and the candidates and contribute to the tend of politics as a popularity contest. At least when people go to the polls or order an absent ballot they are extending some effort. It would be interesting to see research profiling the types of people who would vote by Internet or US Mail versus those who go to the polls. I'd hate to see our representatives selected and ballot issues decided the same way as CNN or USA Today opinion surveys. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ 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
