Candidates say they are out spreading the word to vote February 18th in the Madison City Council primaries, but many students are just not paying attention.
Almost all the candidates running for District 5 and District 8, the predominantly student districts that encompass much of the downtown and lakeshore area, said they are doing all they can to reach the constituents in this crunch time before elections.
The candidates' strategy, for the most part, is \to go door-to-door and meet as many people as [we] can,"" according to District 8 candidate Matt Berry. Candidates said they are also tabling at the dorms and distributing fliers.
Although a few students said they have recently encountered candidates, most said the candidates are not reaching enough students.
""I have no clue if I've met anyone on City Council,"" said Lakeshore dorm resident and UW-Madison sophomore Steve Cavill. UW-Madison junior See Vang said the only place where she has seen candidates is the dorms. Other students interviewed agreed that much of the campaigning may be in vain.
For example, although many students recalled the extensive ad campaign on the windows of a building on the corner of Langdon and Francis, not a single student interviewed could identify the candidate behind the ads. Therefore, students said, they don't know the candidates or the issues.
The problem, according to UW senior Brian Clappier, is not the candidates, but rather the location.
""I care about the national government and the state issues,"" he said. ""But I really don't care much about local government.""
UW-Madison senior Shimon Rubin said in regards to political issues in Madison, ""it doesn't really matter.""
District 8 city council candidate Michael Hanson attributed voters' low interest in the election to the primaries.
""Although there is a small-percentage of interest, I think most people are waiting to see who comes through [the primaries],"" he said.
The candidates said, however, they are working on platforms that should concern the student populace.
""Students think of themselves as four year temporary residents, not having an impact, when in fact they do,"" Nathan Naze, a District 8 candidate said.
Most candidates said they will work towards affordable housing and reforms in alcohol policies.
Even though students said they do not pay attention to these issues, District 8 candidate Jeff Erlanger said ""[he is] running to give students a voice.""
Candidates in District 8 were quick to point out they are working for the students. Another candidate, Austin King said, [his campaign] is ""primarily a grassroots student campaign.""
The issues at hand for one candidate in District 5 remain in question. According to Ald. Tom Powell, District 5, candidate Tim Corver has vanished.
""[Corver] is not answering phone calls or letters,"" Powell said. ""No one goes through all the trouble of getting all the signatures, and getting on the candidates list and then just stops running.""
Corver and the other two District 5 candidates could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In light of next week's primaries, candidates said they will campaign harder than ever.
""It really is anyone's ball game,"" District 8 Candidate Frank Harris said. ""The final crunches are getting people to vote.\
