Well, it’s official.
Come Oct. 7, hopefully most of the county’s voters will make it
a point to seek out a polling location and cast their vote for
either standing Governor Gray Davis or another candidate on the
recall ballot of Davis.
Well, it’s official.
Come Oct. 7, hopefully most of the county’s voters will make it a point to seek out a polling location and cast their vote for either standing Governor Gray Davis or another candidate on the recall ballot of Davis.
The list of potential candidates looks like it will be quite a variety of colorful characters and seasoned politicians from both major parties, all in a bid to unseat Davis, who was elected by the majority of the state’s voters in 2002.
What’s disturbing, however, about this entire affair is that taxpayers – us – have to foot most of the estimated $30 million to $35 million cost of the Oct. 7 election as the state’s 58 counties must pick up the bulk of the cost.
Counties statewide are battling budgets that call for cuts in needed services and they could use this election money for better uses. In our backyard, San Benito County officials estimate the October election will cost the county at least $100,000.
That’s at least $100,000 – more than likely coming from the General Fund – that could have almost funded the victim-witness program for an entire year or put two sheriff’s deputies on the street.
But our $100,000 is going to the recall election instead. To help curb the cost to the county, election officials have decided to consolidate the usual polling places and use a few sites that offer a larger capacity, such as the Veterans Memorial Building.
This simple maneuver shows how funds are in such short supply. It also is being done because of a projected low voter turnout. During the 2002 election, only 11,000 of the county’s 23,000 registered voters went to the polls.
Like it or not, let’s put this projected $100,000 to good use. On Oct. 7, make it a point to cast your vote.
To respond to this editorial or comment on this issue, please send or bring letters to Editor, Hollister Free Lance, 350 Sixth St., Hollister, Calif. 95023 or fax to 637-4104 or e-mail to
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