Tri-City Voice is adding another component to its coverage of the cities and communities of the southeast bay area. Readers of Tri-City Voice will now be able to listen to selected and unique content in a brief podcast format. Our podcast will debut with this issue of Tri-City Voice. A work in progress, we are open to hearing from our readers – and now listeners – about the type of information that will be of interest. Our podcast producer, Andrew Cavette, will be traveling throughout the Tri-City Voice area to interview people of interest and expand on articles written for the print and web edition.
Catch the first edition of our podcast at:
https://radiopublic.com/tri-city-voice-podcast-WkaZBm
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tri-city-voice-podcast/id1493833001
https://radiopublic.com/tri-city-voice-podcast-WkaZBm.
Let us know what you think; constructive criticism is always welcome. Advertising opportunities are available as well.
No excuses… vote!
The California primary election has been moved to early March. Tri-City Voice will continue its tradition of publishing brief candidate statements and contact information for our readers. Since we believe voting is not only a right of U.S. citizens but an obligation and privilege to ensure that our democracy continues and strengthens. Tri-City Voice does not screen candidates nor give recommendations since it is our philosophy that each voter should make the effort to understand the issues and listen to candidates to make informed and enlightened choices.
Although some voting procedures are not new, California has modified its primary election rules to allow the top two candidates, without regard to party affiliation, to advance to the general election in November. Party labels are just that… labels. A party designation following a name on a ballot does not necessarily reveal the character or trustworthiness of a candidate. Endorsements can be a guide, but are the judgement of a single person or an interested group, not necessarily the best choice for all voters. Strive to be a critical and astute voter.
Ranked choice voting is now beginning to take hold and, although not common in our area yet, is not a new concept; it was created in the United States in 1870 by an MIT professor. Abroad, it is a common practice in many countries including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Malta, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Allowing voters to assign a ranking to candidates creates an “instant runoff” that combines votes for alternate choices if the top ranked choice is eliminated. Among our cities, San Leandro has embraced ranked choice for its local elections. In 2019, a bill to extend ranked choice voting throughout California met with opposition – and a veto – from the governor’s office with the explanation that the results are too confusing for voters.
Early voting and vote by mail has become commonplace and alleviates the all-or-nothing procedures of the past. With the advent of more flexible options, there is no reason to avoid or excuse voter absence. In the recent past, close elections have emphasized the value of a single vote so the justification that a personal vote has no meaning, is a fraudulent argument. Each and every person who has the right to vote should willingly and wholeheartedly vote. Non-voters have no excuse.
LOOK, LISTEN, LEARN AND VOTE!