A lack of information

Man-on-the-street interviews reveal a desire for more information about candidates

Posted
Tuesday, Nov. 8 — After months of campaigning Election Day is finally here, but some Lansing residents would have liked more information before heading to the polls.

Talking to people on the street in Washington Square this morning revealed that some voters felt they didn’t know much about the candidates they would be voting for.

“I didn’t really see enough candidates out there to have an opinion on anybody that was more qualified than what we have now,” said Lansing resident Mark Jean, 42, who had already voted. He still went to the polls to cast his ballot, as he does every election, despite the desire for more information.

“I just don’t think too much is going to change,” Jean said.

Voters will elect four new City Council members, two At-Large, one First Ward and one Third Ward, three Board of Education members and vote on ballot proposals  to increase the property tax millage, authorize the sale of part of the Red Cedar Golf Course and revise the City Charter.

Residents Lydia Hines, 42 and Lisa Gros, 48, planned on voting after work, but both women said they hadn’t seen much from the candidates and didn’t have opinions on their campaigns.

“I haven’t even really seen any (campaigns),” Hines said.

First Ward resident Mike Buncher, 27, said all he knew about the election was that a candidate named Lynne Martinezshe’s seeking the First Ward seat — was running because she came to his door. He decided not to vote today because he knew so little about the candidates and the issues.

“I would like (to vote) but I just don’t know enough about it,” Buncher said. “I would feel like I’m just spit balling.”

One man, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that he saw some candidate yard signs, had information stuffed in his door and received a number of direct mail pieces.
“They seem to be doing what they’re supposed to be doing as candidates,” he said. He planned on voting later in the day.

Resident Martin Mashon, 37, said he too had seen signs, but didn’t pay much attention to them when deciding how to vote. “I’m going to make up my own opinion,” he said. “I didn’t get any calls or anything.”

Resident George Norton, 62, said the campaigns he saw had been positive. He had already voted. “I think (the candidates are) in-line with the position that they’re running for,” he said. As an example, Board of Education candidates are running from the perspective of what’s best for the children, which is what they should campaign on, he said.

A second anonymous voter also said he hadn’t seen much about the candidates he would vote for later today. “(Candidates) haven’t been contacting me,” he said. “But I do have the latest copy of the City Pulse and I’m going to read through it really thoroughly before I go (to vote) tonight.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here




Connect with us