News, Comments, and References on Measure A

Here are various news articles, editorials, audio & video stories, blog postings, and references on elections and voters.





News Articles

1. News Release for YES-on-Measure-A campaign kick-off announcement, held 28Aug.2007.
2. "Democrats Endorse" news brief in Santa Barbara Independent (13Sep.2007) about the County Democratic Central Committee endorsing Measure A with no opposition.
   
3. "Measure A draws fans and detractors" news article by Santa Barbara Independent, (30Aug.2007). Photo shows Hal Conklin, Emily Allen, David Pritchett. A response letter by Pritchett appeared the following week to clarify the "sympathetic" jab in this article.
   
4. "Voters to pick election cycle" top news article by Santa Barbara Daily Sound (29Aug.2007), where opponents of Measure A said that voter "turnout figures do not mean anything." A PDF file is here, looking like the print edition.
5. "Measure A opponents blast rebuttal rule" news article by Santa Barbara Daily Sound (29Aug.2007), where opponents of Measure A do not understand they effectively argue why a YES-on-A vote is the best choice, because the County instead would run the election and thus could allow rebuttal arguments.
6. "Money Chase" news article by Santa Barbara Independent (04Oct.2007) about election campaign contributions through end of September, noting at the end: "The committee against Measure A raised $500, all from Lanny Ebenstein."
7. "Measure A opponents question analysis" news article by Santa Barbara Daily Sound (03Oct.2007) where some opponents kvetch against the City Attorney analysis of election cost savings, all as more indication that those opponents will say anything to deflect away from the benefit of nearly doubling voter turnout. Of course, a YES vote on Measure A will get the City out of the business of running its own election, thereby satisfying all these kvetchers.
   
8. "SB to run own election; voters to decide election cycle" article by Santa Barbara Newsroom (04Jul.2007), highlights comments by Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group and includes remarks by City Council Member Iya Falcone: “We’re not impartial. We don’t have any business writing a ‘pro’ or a ‘con’ position.” A PDF file is here.
9. "Election year change heads to ballot" article by Santa Barbara Daily Sound (04Jul.2007), includes open comment by well-known Attorney Steve Amerikaner where he said: “It’s difficult for me to imagine that people would be influenced by that factor,” regarding the necessary one-time additional year on the Council term. A PDF file is here, looking like the print edition.
10. "Elections by the City, for the City" article by Santa Barbara Independent (26Apr.2007), outlines skyrocketing election fees charged by the County and the reasons for the City shifting to even-year election cycle.
11. "Even Steven: City seeks change in election cycle to save money" article by Santa Barbara Independent (01Feb.2007), describes initial City Council deliberation on election costs and schedule, held in January 2007 during a well-attended Special Meeting of the Council. A PDF file is here.

Editorials & Commentary

1. "The Many Benefits of Measure A" Independent Voice (11Oct.2007) by Cathy Murillo, where she refuses to be cynical about voting and democracy and believes that people want to vote but they just need to be informed and engaged.
   
2. "Why a No vote on Measure A is Good for SB's Election Process" Independent Voice (11Oct.2007) by Gerry DeWitt, where he writes such people-pleasing stuff as: "But if people are so disinterested that they are unwilling to learn about the issues and the candidates on the ballot, democracy is not better served by their participation" and other gems that conclude that some voters are not smart enough and should not be voting at all.
3. 5 Letters in Santa Barbara Independent (25Oct.2007) by League of Women Voters, David Pritchett, Sonya Baker, Lee Heller, and John Vasi, all blowing big holes in the editorial from the prior week and/or explaining why A is best for democracy.
4. Noozhawk and Daily Sound letters by Cathy Murillo (30Oct.2007), outlining the basic benefits of Measure A. The Daily Sound letter appears on page 7.
   
5. Rebuttal to the Primary Argument Against Measure A (Word file). Joe Allen requested that Santa Barbara News-Press also publish this as a weekday lead editorial, with the intent "as a public service" as the News-Press stated was the reason it published the Rebuttal Argument by the opponents of Measure A. The News-Press refused.
6. "City squashes Measure A rebuttal" lead editorial by Santa Barbara News-Press, (28Aug.2007), a venue offered "as a public service" to opponents of Measure A who wrote in their Rebuttal Argument that "Bigger turnout is not always better." Link requires paid access to website. The News-Press refused to publish the other Rebuttal "as a public service". As an indication that the YES side is right, about 10 other News-Press editorials subsequently were published, and they all are too hard to track and post here.
   
7. Daily Sound commentary by Ken Pettit (18Oct.2007). Time to take elitism out of elections. Retired County Registrar of Voters Ken Pettit reminds all (page 7) that increased voting raises a conscientiousness that overcomes the elitism of special interests.
   
8. "Pros and Cons of Measure A" where Loretta Redd gives it a shot, although misses, in her Aug. 28th opinion column in Santa Barbara Daily Sound. She was confused about the analysis of election costs, thinking that the "thirty-five grand" is the cost for the City to run its own election now, when that figure actually is the amount the City would pay if the County conducted the consolidated elections during the even years. Also, a PDF file is here looking like the print edition.
9. Independent Letter by David Wass (27Sep.2007). Another YES vote Measure A, where Wass notes that no better way is possible "to open up and democratize our local government" in comparison with the national government mess.
10. Daily Sound letter by Beverly King (18Oct.2007). This statement explains the endorsement of Measure A by League of Women Voters, a highly selective nonpartisan group. See page 7 for the letter.
    
11. Independent Letter by Sandy Stites (27Sep.2007). Prudence, not Favoritism, where Stites outlines the benefits of Measure A and asks "What's not to like??".
12. Independent Letter by David Pritchett (06Sep.2007). Measure A Supporter, where Pritchett explains that support for A is based upon its merits and not sympathy with the current City Council, as insinuated by an earlier news article.
    
13. Independent Letter by Jon Williams (27Sep.2007). Public Safety Pressure, where Williams wonders if some opponents to Measure A are motivated because "small voter turnout may guarantee them tidbits from pet politicians".
14. Independent Letter by Neal Rosenthal (18Oct.2007). In It all adds up, he outlines the basic points and rebuts another theory going around that absentee ballots somehow are not working.
    
15. Daily Sound Guest Opinion by Gerry DeWitt (18Sep.2007). In Vote no on Measure A, DeWitt admits that he opposes A not because of the necessary one-time extra year on the Council terms, and then he insults voters who vote during the even-year election cycles because "they are not people who care about local issues". DeWitt further criticizes voters by adding: "Their votes in our local election would no be based on any concern or even information about our local issues, but rather on whom their party recommends." Gerry seems to think voters are not smart enough to know what they are doing when they vote.
    
16. Daily Sound Letters by Kahan and Murillo (20Sep.2007). Opponent Jim Kahan writes about the "disastrous impact that it would have on the local democratic process" if the status quo remained for separate City elections, while ballot signatory Cathy Murillo writes about how everyone should benefit from higher voter turnout as the plain goal.
17. Daily Sound Letter by Sandy Stites (25Sep.2007). Sandy Stites writs a letter to Editor (see page 7) that Measure A will make City government more accountable to the voters.
18. Daily Sound Letter by Mike Pahos (04Oct.2007). Former County Parks Director Mike Pahos writes (see page 9) that he will enjoy the City saving a million dollars after 10 years but after a couple of years he will not even remember who had their terms extended once by a year.
19. "Measure A, Council Election Change" where Blogabarbara posts the subject on Aug. 13, a few days after the Arguments were due. The 58 comments naturally wander widely in typical anonymous vitriol, but several basically opine that low voter turnout would be good or at least not important for a better Santa Barbara.
20. "Questioning Measure A" and "Guest Commentary" as rambling, often silly and off-point postings at the obscure santabarbarasblog.com.
    

Measure A featured as this episode of Off-Leash Public Affairs
This video includes the campaign kick-off announcement, detailed analysis by Cathy Murillo and David Pritchett, and observations by Mayor Marty Blum, all with acknowledgments and discussions of what the opponents of Measure A have been saying.

Audio & Video News and Public Affairs

1. KCLU news story (FM-102.3). 20 September 2007. News Director Lance Orozco interviewed Emily Allen and David Pritchett of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group and opponents of Measure A. The against-A speakers agreed that voter turnout would increase and the City taxpayers would save money if Measure A passes at the ballot. KCLU also has their own audio stream available.
   
2. KEYT news story (TV-3), 02 October 2007. An opponent of Measure A promotes their latest theory about why low voter turnout is good, while David Pritchett reminds about the original benefit of higher turnout and saving money. Video follows of the same themes said during public comment at the City Council meeting earlier that day.
   
3. KEYT news story (TV-3), 28 August 2007. KEYT covered the YES-on-Measure-A campaign kick-off event and included a video bite by Sandy Stites of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group.
4. Measure A Campaign Announcement, 28 August 2007. Video excerpt of the event, with remarks by Emily Allen of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group and former Santa Barbara Mayor Hal Conklin remarking about the long view of why Measure A is needed.
5. KCSB long news story (FM 91.9), 16 October 2007. At timecode 16:45 minutes into this audio stream, hear conspicuous Measure A opponent Gerry DeWitt says that some voters should not be voting: "Who are those people and why aren't they voting now? If they just don't care, I don't want them voting, " he said clearly. The rest of this long interview included eloquent statements in support of Measure A by Ken Pettit and Emily Allen.
6. KIST (AM-1340) Paul Berenson radio show, 13 October 2007. Starting at timecode 45:00 minutes into this radio interview with City Council candidate Michelle Giddens tries to convince the caller, twice, that not everyone should be voting because those voters do not know enough about the candidates.
   
7. KIST (AM-1340) Paul Berenson radio show, 01 September 2007. David Pritchett of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group called in to this progressive talk radio show. Berenson's treatment of the issue starts at about 20% into this streaming audio, so slide the scroll bar over a bit after the Bush impeachment ballad.
8. KTMS (AM-1490) Marty Blum radio show, 18 August 2007. In this video from the radio studio, David Pritchett of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group was a guest on the Mayor's public affairs radio show to explain details about Measure A and the Ballot Argument filed the prior week.
9. KIST (AM-1340) Paul Berenson radio show, 06 October 2007. David Pritchett of Santa Barbara Clean Elections Working Group called in to this progressive talk radio show and chatted up with Berenson about the latest ploys against Measure A. Listen to this starting a smidge past the halfway mark on the audio slider.
   
10. KEYT TV-3 news story, 24 April 2007. This faint video recording is about Santa Barbara City Council deciding to shift City elections to even-numbered years.

References on 2007 City Election

1. 12-year chart of voter turnout results, 1995-2006.
2. Voter turnout data, 1995-2006, for Santa Barbara City precincts combined, compiled by County Elections Division Supervisor.
3. Election statistics analyses for undervoting and downballot dropoff theories, compiled by County Deputy Registrar of Voters and showing minimal undervoting that likely is not even for local City election items.
4. Costs to be charged to Santa Barbara City if the County still conducted a stand-alone, odd-year election, correspondence to City from County Registrar of Voters.
5. City staff report (19Jun.2007) about election costs as conducted by City to run the elections.
6. Argument as filed in FAVOR of Measure A-2007.
7. The 5 signatories to the Argument in FAVOR of Measure A (Conklin, Pettit, Allen, Pritchett, Murillo).
8. Argument as filed AGAINST Measure A-2007 (Ebenstein disqualified as he still is not a City resident), where the attempt to distract from what Measure A really is about.
9. Impartial Analysis of Ballot Measure, by City Attorney, as required for all Ballot Measures
10. City website for 2007 election, with full "Charter Amendment Measure".
11. YES-on-Measure-A outreach summary page.
12. Endorsement authorization form, PDF file version.
13. Endorsement authorization form, Word doc version.

References on Municipal Voting Issues

1. Municipal Elections in California: Turnout, Timing, and Competition. Research report (2002) by Public Policy Institute of California (links to short, medium, and extra long versions of the report).
2. Similar ballot Measure in 2004 for San Ramon (Contra Costa County), including Rebuttals!!