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League of women Voters of <br /> Roseville, Falcon Heights, Maplewood <br /> April 10, 2002 <br /> A r rHEN T : At City of Rosevi l-l_e to discuss odd/even year elections <br /> The right: of every citizen to vote has been a basic IWV principle since <br /> the origin of the League. The LWV position is: to protect tbP right of <br /> every citizen to vote, and to encourage all citizens to vote. The ;WV of <br /> the United states believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that <br /> must be guaranteed. <br /> The "' WV also of course believes in informed citizen participation. <br /> Therefore we ask that the following questions be given serious and <br /> thoughtful consideration when Making the decision as to whether to move <br /> local and school board elections from off to even years: <br /> 1. What are the advantages of moving to even years, when there are so <br /> many candidates and issues on the ballot? <br /> 2. flow will candidates get voter recognition with the much longer <br /> ballot? With party designation, and having names on party sample <br /> ballots? With public financing? Won't this possible change cause <br /> more expensive campaigns? Without pti bti_c financing, how brill <br /> candidates raise the dollars? <br /> 3. IIow will the"uridervote" be dealt with, as voters go down the longer <br /> ballot, with Local candidates at the very end? <br /> 4. Kill. this proposed change be a detriment to informed voter participation? <br /> 5. Has careful and adequate consideration being given to the effect on <br /> the relationship with school districts in the City and the increased <br /> level of cooperation experienced and appreciated in recent years <br /> by both the City of Roseville and School District 623, especially <br /> i.n the development and use of facilities and schedules which have <br /> worked to the benefit of all our citizens? <br /> There is continuity in the current system, with an annual election <br /> day, conforming to the uniform election date of the first Tuesday after the <br /> Monday of November. Further more, with the current system of annual elections, <br /> there would likely be less need for "special" elections, when unusual <br /> circumstances arise. <br /> Thank you for your attention to this matter. <br /> Shirley Bradway Co-President <br /> Ann Berry Co-President <br /> Sandra Lutz Action Chair <br />