Rare Chance for a Model Election

Absent a successful legal challenge to Measure V, voters in the 3rd District will choose a new supervisor in a special election Jan. 28. With the two great issues of the last decade -- the Orange County bankruptcy and the proposed airport at the former El Toro Marine base -- largely behind us, and with no other offices or propositions on the ballot, voters have the opportunity to take a fresh look at Orange County and the many challenges it faces.

In fact, this election could be an exemplary election -- a model of “how to do it.”

Professor Bruce Buchanan, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, uses the phrase “good democratic practice” to describe how campaigns should be conducted from the point of view of what is best for citizens.

Here’s a look at how “good democratic practice” could define the role and behavior of three groups -- candidates, the media and the voters -- as the Jan. 28 election approaches.

CANDIDATES

If a court challenge to be decided this month doesn’t derail the election, the race probably will be among former Assemblyman Bill Campbell, former Tustin Councilman Jim Potts, Robert L. Douglas of Orange and Douglas Boeckler of Orange.

Research shows that negative campaigns turn voters off and cause them not to vote. The candidates should tell their campaign managers that they will not tolerate personal attacks and attempts at character assassination. They should not permit such attacks in their campaign advertising, or by those who campaign on their behalf with so-called independent expenditure committees.

Instead, they should focus on the critical issues facing Orange County, especially those identified by the media and academic researchers such as Mark Baldassare, whose recently released Annual Survey of Orange County is packed with useful information about county issues.

Political science research shows that candidate debates are among the most important vehicles for educating voters about the issues and the candidates. The candidates should agree to participate in a minimum of three debates in different parts of the 3rd District, perhaps on university campuses or other venues where the public has easy access. These debates should be held once a week beginning immediately after the New Year. I would be pleased to host and moderate one or more of these at Chapman University in Orange or to help find a venue and a moderator, such as the League of Women Voters, that the candidates, public and press find acceptable.

MEDIA

We need press coverage that provides citizens with the information they need to make an informed choice. “Horse race” coverage -- who’s up and who’s down and the inside “dope” on the campaign -- is entertaining but provides little useful information. Instead of infotainment journalism, the press should focus first on candidate character and qualifications; what type of people are the candidates; and their political and social values, their education and their experience.

Next, reporters should identify the major issues facing Orange County and detail what each candidate proposes to do about them.

Voter guides published by the media, which include easy-to-read and informative tables about the candidates and where they stand on the issues, also would help voters make informed choices.

Given the high percentage of voters who use absentee ballots (as high as 33% in some cities), these should be made available as early as possible. With only one race to cover, the press will have the time to do more detailed and policy-oriented stories.

VOTERS

Campaigns should be about the needs of voters, but they seldom are. It is the voter’s job to pay attention to the campaign, become reasonably informed about the major issues and to vote.

Buchanan suggests that a turnout of at least 50% in a presidential election is a reasonable goal. That would be high for this race -- 20% to 25% is more likely in a special election -- but it’s a worthy target.

Each of us can contribute to a higher turnout by talking about the election and the issues with our friends, colleagues and neighbors, and by attending one or more of the proposed candidate debates.

By doing these things individuals reaffirm their faith in democracy.

Let’s take advantage of this unique opportunity to hold an exemplary campaign -- or at least a much better campaign -- than is typically held in Orange County.