George,

I voted against the proposal [to change the date of the city council election in Richmond] but it passed 7-2.

I had a number of concerns, primarily that it was extending our current term as opposed to taking effect the next council term. In addition, we have non-partisan elections in Richmond and my concern is that partisan politics would unduly influence elections, making them more expensive and make it more difficult and expensive to get campaign workers, thereby reducing the potential pool of applicants. Also, council elections would get lost in other November elections, since we are at the bottom of the political barrel.

Nevertheless, the proposal passed on the argument that we would end up with higher turnout in November. I don't disagree, but I am not one who believes that quantity necessarily means quality. And that was it.

Rudy Mack (electronic mail, September 12, 2001)