Readers React: Give local elections the attention they deserve

To the editor: Years ago, local elections — for school boards, city councils and special districts — in my part of California were held only in odd-numbered years. Only one special district vote was held in November in an even-numbered year, along with state and national elections. (“A simple fix for L.A.’s voter turnout problem,” Editorial, Sept. 18)

At the time, I asked a member of the board of that district why they were on the same ballot with higher-profile candidates. He told me that the candidates for their board were always at the end of the ballot and that discussion of issues affecting the district were drowned out by statewide and national issues. He boldly said this guaranteed that incumbents would always be reelected.

Instead of moving city elections to coincide with statewide and national votes, all local elections should be held in odd-numbered years so we can concentrate on local issues when voting for local offices.

David E. Ross, Oak Park

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