Update / Follow-up on the news : TUSTIN : City OKs Joint State, Municipal Election

Issue: Consolidating municipal election with statewide primary.

Background: The city’s next general election was scheduled for April 9, 1996, just two weeks after the statewide primary election March 26. An analysis by the city clerk’s office indicated that consolidating the two elections could result in increased voter turnout and reduced costs to the city. Disadvantages of a consolidated election, according to the analysis, include the loss of visibility for city issues and candidates, and increased campaign costs for City Council hopefuls.

Development: The council gave final approval to a measure consolidating the municipal election with the statewide primary, starting in 1996. If the primary election does not take place in March at some future date, the municipal election would return to the second Tuesday in April during even-numbered years. Council members in favor of the measure said a consolidated election is more convenient for voters. Councilman Michael J. Doyle, who opposed consolidation, said the municipal election date has been changed too frequently in recent years.

--COMPILED BY ALAN EYERLY, LYNN FRANEY AND JON NALICK