2006 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION COMMISSIONER
Instructions to Candidates: The following questionnaire will be used to evaluate candidates
for the office of Democratic Election Commissioner. Please answer each question so that we can
compare the answers of each candidate and so that you can give the Cambridge Democratic City
Committee a full and fair picture of your qualifications and ideas for the position. Responses
should be in a form suitable for reproduction, in single-spaced format. Responses must be
received by Secretary Jesse Stanesa by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, 24 February 2006. Mr. Stanesa’s
address is 106 Fifth Street #1, Cambridge, Mass. 02141. He may be reached at 617.821.1064 or
jesse_stanesa@hotmail.com.
1. State your name, residential address, business address, and telephone number(s). David
Scondras, 17 Worcester Street, 617 913 6189 ( cellphone )
2. Personal. Give a brief biographical summary, including your occupation and past activity in
the Democratic Party, community, Cambridge politics, and voter registration. Please include
your experience with proportional representation, Cambridge election procedures, and the
election laws, if any. Attach a resume if available. Is there, or do you anticipate, anything
(time, other commitments) that would present a conflict of interest or otherwise make it
difficult to fulfill your duties as Election Commissioner for the full four-year term?
I was a city councilor in Boston for ten years, an active member of the Democratic party and
active in politics since Kennedy vs. Nixon, I am the community organizer for Area 4, I have
been involved as a candidate in ten elections and have studied elections, election law, and been
involved in controversies vis a vis elections for many years.
Much of what I have done is public record and can be found through a search of the Globe
archives or a simple google search.
There are no commitments I have that would make it difficult to be an election commissioner.
3. Reason for Seeking Office. Please explain why you are seeking the office of Election
Commissioner.
I have been an active participant in politics all my life because I believe it is one way we can
make our society more responsive to the needs of people in our communities. At this point in my
life, this particular job is appropriate given my skills and makes more sense that running again
for office. Our city has had decreasing numbers registered, the lowest turnouts in memory and I
know how to reverse that decision people are making to not be involved.
4. Voter Participation (registration and turnout).
a. Increasing participation. Given the dynamic nature of the City of Cambridge, with
a highly transient population, how do you propose to increase the number of people
who register and vote? Do you have any specific suggestions for increasing
participation? If so, what, in numbers, are realistic goals and how would the Election
Commission accomplish those goals? i.e. city census mail program, door to door or
phone census canvassing.
Answer: there is no magic bullet. When I was given the task of increasing involvement in the
Area 4 Coalition, we put together a program that succeeded.
In general, identification of why people are not registering is a key component. Conditioning
public participation in partisan events upon voter registration while making it easy to do at the
events, holding elections prior to the city elections that young people in high school participate in
that are given press coverage, creating a social conscience around being a voter by passing out
voter buttons etc., allowing voter registration at numerous sites, holding voter registration events
etc. all have a role. In the end, the education of people on what is at stake is a key responsibility
we all have if we expect participation.
b. Location. Do you think changing the siting of registration or polling places would
improve participation? Did you favor the reduction from 42 to 33 precincts? Do you
feel that Cambridge should have more or fewer precincts than it will in 2006?
Consistent with the constraints of redistricting boundaries, where, if anywhere,
would you add or subtract precincts?
In general the more polling places and places one can register the higher the potential
participation but it is not the most important factor. In Chelsea one year when the Mayor and
Police Chief had a public dispute and ran against each other, while Boston and surrounding areas
had about 16% turnout, Chelsea had an 80%+ turnout, hard to imagine in general, and proving
that the extent to which politics connects with voters emotionally is the extent to which there is
widespread participation. There need to be enough polling places to make it convenient and
straightforward for everyone to participate. For example, 3-3 is located right now where it forces
people to cross Mass. Ave which might deter people who are elderly or disabled from making the
effort.
c. Information. Do you have any proposals for improving the existing voter education
program? Do you support or oppose proposals requiring the posting of the MA
Voters Bill of Rights in every polling place? Do you support or oppose proposals
that would allow Cambridge voters to check their registration status online like
Boston voters?
I have no problems with postings or checking registration status, especially given the number of
times people are surprised to find out they are not listed, or find that they inadvertently are listed
as unenrolled or other classifications which they did not intend to have happen.
5. Accuracy of Voter Lists. Do you think that the existing system is adequate to minimize voter
list inaccuracies (e.g., erroneously dropping voters, or carrying nonresidents on the voter
lists)? Do you have an opinion on the current policy regarding inactive voters? Do you have
any improvements to propose?
There will always be voter list inaccuracies. There is no reason why prior to elections a letter
telling voters who is running for what, and what ballot initiatives are on the ballot which also
tells voters how they are presently registered and advises them to take action and how to take
action if they are not registered as they assume could be helpful. I think that it is always better to
err of the side of the voter and therefore voters need to be kept on the lists for a long time. I have
never frankly understood why we cannot bring identification to a polling place to minimize the
concerns everyone has about legitimacy in voting.
6. Operation of the Election Commission. Do you have any comments on, or changes to
propose in the day-to-day administration of the Commission? Do you have any suggestions
for making the Commission more efficient? How will you work with the Commission’s
staff? Do you have any basic principles you follow when hiring and managing staff? Do you
favor having evening meeting and hearings of the election commission? How would you
evaluate the Commission’s training of election workers? How important is it to you that
election day workers live in the communities that they serve in?
Meetings of the commission should be at night and in every neighborhood with widespread
advertising. I have a good many issues to raise vis a vis the election DEPARTMENT and think
the commission has a responsibility to be involved in the department. I prefer to speak about
these matters in person.
My primary concern about election workers is their attitude toward voters--respect and
competence are the most important characteristics I would look for.
7. Enforcement of Ethics Ordinance. What is your evaluation of the Commission’s
performance in administering the Ethics Ordinance since the scope of its duties were
expanded in 1993? What, if anything, do you think the Commission should do differently in
the future?
8. Election Commission Ethics. Do you favor efforts to limit the ability of those administering
elections to hold fiduciary positions in political campaigns (like campaign chair, co-chair,
treasurer or fundraising) other then their own?
There is a built in problem with the Commission--by definition it is comprised of people chosen
by political parties. There is an acknowledgement of the diversity of political opinion and its
importance implicit in this process, in which for all practical purposes the legislation in effect is
saying since you cannot eliminate bias better it be public. I do not think we should make
holding positions in campaigns to be illegal per se but I question how a Commissioner can do the
work expected in a neutral, unbiased fashion while campaigning for a candidate.
9. Election Commission Budget. What comments or changes, if any, would you suggest for
the Election Commission’s budget, in order to make the commission more cost-effective?
What experience do you have administering and managing budgets?
Cambridge does not have a money problem. It is almost unique among Massachusetts cities and
towns in having significant surpluses. We should spend what it takes to get up registration and
make sure any obstacles to participation are removed.
10. Election Day Procedures. Now that computerized voting has been used in five municipal
elections and five state elections, what is your evaluation of how it has worked? Are there
changes you propose for future elections? Do you favor the use of optical scan voting devises
in municipal elections? What do you think of new voting technology like Digital Recording
Electronic (DRE) voting systems like those made by Die bold? Do you favor the way in
which the proportional representation “count” was done in November 2005 and, if not, what
would you propose? Do you favor releasing an unofficial proportional representation “count”
on election night? Would you support or oppose the creation of a certification process
before every election for electronic voting systems administered by the Secretary of State?
All systems have problems. I actually found the old system of hand counting fascinating, causing
a good deal of participation and easy to keep track of. At the risk of being accused of being a
Luddite, I have problems with any system that makes it impossible to objectively assess if the
system is fair because by definition that makes it open to potential abuse.
11. Recount procedures. What is your evaluation of the recount procedures of the Commission?
What comments or changes, if any, would you suggest?
They are set by statute.
12. Campaign Finance. What is your evaluation of the Commission’s performance in
administering the campaign finance laws in municipal elections?
They are set by statute and primarily are the responsibility of the State.
13. Transfer Method. Do you favor replacing the Cincinnati Method with proportional
distribution in order to eliminate the role of chance in distributing surplus votes, or do you
prefer the current system?
I am not sure if I agree that proportional systems reach their stated objectives and would like to
see a proof of this hypothesis. To a large extent, PR is biased by income stratification which is
geographic and those who are poorest might be better served by geographic representation. I
don't think splitting hairs on a system whose underlying rationale has not been tested is a good
use of time.
14. Ballot Design. What is your opinion regarding the format of the ballot used for city council
and school committee elections? Do you think the instructions provided to voters are clear
and that the ballot is easy to read and complete? What improvements, if any, would you
suggest?
There are hundreds of ballot designs which are used by many residents across the state. People
who favor one or another argue in favor of those they are familiar with. I think the issue is
allowing people the opportunity to participate in a critique of the ballot in a systematic way, such
as an exit poll might get us more information than guessing. The ballot I used last year was easy
to read and complete as far as I was concerned.
15. Voting Rights. Do you favor voting rights for legal immigrants in municipal elections? Do
you favor lowering the voting age in municipal elections? (yes)What special problems or
opportunities would such a change cause for the Election Commission? ( more work) Do
you support or oppose a constitutional amendment to remove conditions for absentee
voting?(support) Do you favor same day voter registration?(support)Do you support or
oppose legislation allowing workers to take two hours off from work to vote on election day?
( support) Do you favor provisions under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) that requires
voters to provide their driver’s license or the last four digits of their social security number to
register to vote? ( no real problem with this) Would you support or oppose legislation
requiring all voters to show a photo ID before they vote? ( oppose. There needs to be a
variety of ways voters can participate, not one 'this way or else' attitude.)
16. Miscellaneous. Do you have any other suggestions for carrying out the powers and duties of
an Election Commissioner? Is there anything else you would like the Cambridge Democratic
City Committee to consider in evaluating your candidacy for the office of Election
Commissioner?
I believe that the Commission like all public bodies should reflect the community. As an openly
Gay man, I would like to see my community represented sensitively by the commission. I
believe the commission in Cambridge has a special relationship to the city manager and in that
capacity should spend time examining the election department which, ultimately) makes or
breaks the real purpose of the commission which is to make sure participation in elections is
encouraged, is fair and is as easy as possible.
I would like the opportunity to speak with the CDCC.