Special election date changed

A planned protest turned into a celebration yesterday outside Hillman Library after City Council announced that an Oakland-district election would not be held during Pitt's spring break.
City Council President Luke Ravenstahl announced yesterday morning that the District 3 city council special election would be held March 14. Student groups and voting groups, headed by the League of Young Voters, responded with petitions and complaints after Ravenstahl said Tuesday that the election would be held March 7.

Students at Pitt and Duquesne will have spring break from March 6 through March 10, though student dormitories at Pitt will remain open.

"It's a huge victory for all our young voters all over the city,"said Khari Mosley, from the League. Mosley hailed the date change as evidence that young people can affect city issues.

The Council's consideration of students' needs could help Pittsburgh shed its image as a city unsupportive of college students, Mosley said, adding that it was "time for [young people's] voices to be heard."

Ravenstahl, who said he received only a handful of complaints, explained that he had initially chosen March 7 at the county administration's recommendation. He pointed out that although he announced the date Tuesday, it was not yet set in stone because the writ of election didn't need to be submitted until today.

The county elections offices will be open late on March 7 to receive final-day petitions from candidates for the May primary elections, so holding the special election the same day would have cut costs. A March 7 election would have been more convenient and something less than $1,000 cheaper, but Ravenstahl said he recognized how important it was to some people that he change the date.

"That is a cost that we as a city should incur to make sure that everybody's voice is heard in the election," he said.

All residents of Central Oakland, South Oakland and the South Side Flats are eligible to vote in the District 3 City Council election, which is being held to fill the spot left when Representative Gene Ricciardi became a district judge.

The election winner will hold the position through 2007, but he or she will have to run again in the 2007 May primaries to contend for a subsequent full term. Representatives from the League will be in Litchfield Towers lobby every day to help students register until voter registration ends Feb. 13.

In a Democratic town like Pittsburgh, Mosley said, the Democratic primary usually determines the election. Many students are out of town during the regular May primary election and, as a result, they lose their opportunity to have a strong voice in Council elections.

"I think that students really know that this is their opportunity to take ownership over Oakland," Mosley said.

Six candidates, including Pitt student Jason Phillips, attended the rally yesterday. Fifteen days remain for would-be candidates to turn in their petitions.

To run for the Council seat, a person must live in District 3, get 100 signatures from registered voters and be at least 18 years old.

Although people gathered to celebrate the date change yesterday, they also gave serious attention to the task of getting students to vote.

"Unless you register to vote and get out there to vote, it doesn't make a difference," cautioned District 8 City Council member Bill Peduto, who said he is not endorsing any candidate at this time. People between the ages of 18 and 24 make up 20 percent of the district, he added.

"You have an incredible voting block, you have an incredible voice," Peduto said.

Mosley said he was pleased with the rally's turnout of 40 or 50 young people "dispelling the myth that they're not engaged." He hopes that 1,000 students will vote in the election.