November 24, 1999

The absentee voter comes into his own

I owe the voters of Pacifica an apology. Because I seriously underestimated the number of absentee voters in the Nov. 2 election, I estimated turnout in Pacifica at "about 15 percent."

That was after I'd said something in public about a five to ten percent turnout.

The actual turnout was 18.4 percent, which included an absentee vote of 7.3 percent. For every six voters at the polls in Pacifica, four others chose to vote absentee. I should've known better. One of those absentees was me. Absentee voters are hard for political observers to deal with. For one thing, up to now, they've been considered such small potatoes they've been mostly ignored.

Truth is, we really don't know whether Pacifica's absentees vote just like the precinct voters or like voters in some parallel universe. I had expected a dismal showing in Pacifica because it was such a dismal ballot. Considering how little was offered to interest Pacifica voters, 18 percent is an excellent showing. Countywide averages were about 28.5 percent. Half Moon Bay turned out about 53.5 percent, but they had a school bond issue, a city council race, a water district race, and a fire protection district race.

(Did you know that Carol Cupp was elected to the Coastside County Water District and Mike Coffey to the Burlingame City Council? Or that Liberty ran last for Foster City City Council? (I refer to Lou Liberty, of course.) With trivia treasures like that, where's Herb Caen when we need him?) Though we're just past one election, a much larger and more obtrusive election is only 103 days away. On March 7 we face a presidential primary. It will be a long, complicated and crowded group of ballots, including Central Committees of the major and minor parties. I know that deadlines are fast approaching because so far I've been asked to sign one Assembly candidate's petition, and two for Central Committee. I've even seen activists from some of the minor parties out and about, having reappeared from wherever they hibernate between elections. I assume even in Pacifica a few Republicans are choosing up sides between the Shrub, Steve Forbes and John McCain. So far I haven't heard of anyone local who's gung ho for Pat Buchanan, let alone Donald Trump or one of the over-sexed movie stars whose names have come forward. If you plan to vote for a star, may I suggest Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?

I do recommend an excellent solution to a long and complicated ballot is absentee voting. As soon as you get your sample ballot, by early February, mail in your request. You'll be able to sit down with a cup of coffee, make your decisions at leisure, and avoid last minute pressures to meet a deadline on a busy Tuesday. There are those who enjoy the ambience of going to the precinct and listening to the positive reassurance that comes when the Eagle (the voting machine) whistles its approval as you deposit your ballot. As for me, I find voting three weeks before the final campaign crunch even more satisfying.

Some recent Reactor columns may be found at Paul Azevedo's website, http://www.thereactor.net/ Reach him by e-mail at Paul@thereactor.net