Vote YES on Measure A

SB CAN strongly supports Measure A!

There's only a few days left until the Santa Barbara City election. Please help us turn out the vote, and vote YES on Measure A on November 6.

Below, you will find ways that you can help in the campaign. You will also find SB CAN's letter to The Independent explaining why we support Measure A.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

#1. Request a Measure A Lawn Sign (or Make Your Own)

Measure A supporters have been inspired to make lawn signs to show our support for Measure A. If you're not feeling artistic give us a call or email and we'll deliver a handmade sign to your front door. 403-5224 emiallen@aol.com

#2. Make a Contribution

If we raise a few hundred dollars more we can run an ad in the Daily Sound listing the many organizations that support Measure A (Democrats, Greens, Labor, Social Justice, and various Civic Groups). Your contributions have already allowed us to run an ad in the Independent! Please send checks in any amount to: "Yes for Democracy, Yes on Measure A" PO Box 91034 , Santa Barbara 93190 . [Name, address, and employer information are required for contributions of $100 or more.] FPPC #: 1282622. Or call 805-403-8830 to have your check picked up!

#3. Volunteer This Weekend!

Here's info about events that will have Measure A campaign materials available:

This Weekend: Walk Doorhangers in Support of Democratically

Endorsed Candidates and Measure A!

SATURDAY, November 3rd @10 a.m.
Join Brian Barnwell, Helene Schneider & Das Williams!

Doughnuts & Coffee!
Meet at 402 E Gutierrez St (parking lot off Olive St.)

SUNDAY, November 4th @ 11am
Meet at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on upper De La Vina
(intersection w/ State St )

SB CAN's LETTER TO THE INDEPENDENT

SB CAN Says YES on Measure A
Thursday, November 1, 2007

As one of the many organizations endorsing Measure A, Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) was puzzled by The Independent's October 18 editorial opposing it.

It began by presenting compelling reasons for supporting the initiative: it saves the city $500,000, it will greatly increase voter participation, and it puts the city in line with all the other municipalities in the county. Then, despite this evidence, you conclude that the measure is not "real" political reform.

Surely the most basic electoral reform is to arrange things so that the majority of voters would vote. Measure A is just such a step toward greater democracy. Many observers believe that off-year elections were created in the first place precisely to keep voter turnout low, and thus increase chances for special interests to control election outcomes.

The current City Council race, held in an off-year, hardly supports the argument that off-year elections enable focused debate on key matters facing the city. This campaign has not generated much interest or attention to serious issues. If more people go to the polls in city elections-as they certainly will if Measure A passes-there will be wider participation and discussion of vital issues.

It appears that much of the opposition to Measure A comes from vested interests who fear that a fuller electorate will reduce their leverage at the ballot box. For elections determined by the majority of city residents, and not by special interests, vote yes on Measure A.

Deborah Brasket, Executive Director, SB CAN