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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, October 18, 1996 |
CONTACT: Kim Alexander Andrea Cook (916) 325-2120 EMAIL: cvf@netcom.com |
INTERNET NOW RICH IN RESOURCES FOR CALIFORNIA VOTERS
New Web site is a gold mine of election info
Sacramento -- Today the California Voter Foundation announced additions to its California Online Voter Guide, which now features the California Journal's political analyses, legislative and congressional district maps, and more than 120 links to web sites sponsored by California candidates and ballot measure committees.
"We know voters are busy, and we know the ballot issues are more confusing than ever," said Kim Alexander, the California Voter Foundation's executive director. "We've designed the California Online Voter Guide so that voters can come into our site, find what they need as quickly as possible, get out and get on with their lives."
The California Online Voter Guide is a giant directory of California election resources, featuring information on the state's 15 ballot propositions, 52 congressional races, 100 legislative contests, the Presidential election and local races and measures. The guide is available at:
New material in the site includes analyses of the 15 ballot propositions and reviews of each legislative and congressional race, courtesy of the California Journal, a public affairs magazine that has published information on California politics and government for 26 years. "We are proud to be a part of this cutting-edge voter education project," said Tom Hoeber, the magazine's founder and publisher.
The legislative and congressional district maps are being provided by the Institute for Governmental Studies' Statewide Database project at UC Berkeley. "For many years the public has operated in the dark about the districts in which they live and vote," said UC Berkeley professor Bruce Cain, the institute's assistant director. "Now, by using the Internet, voters can effortlessly find the information they need to be effective citizens. We are pleased to be able to assist the California Voter Foundation in this landmark effort to provide district maps to the public."
The voter guide, which was first published on October 1, now features information about campaign finance data and absentee voting, links to other election web sites and voter guides, a list of California public libraries with Internet access, contact information for candidates, ballot measure campaigns and county elections offices, and answers to common questions about voting. An analysis of usage reports shows that the voter guide has been accessed more than 5,000 times in its first two weeks of availability.
"Those who are wondering how the Internet will change politics in the future should be watching what's happening in California right now," said CVF's Alexander. "There is no other place on the planet where you will find as many campaign web sites as we have right now in California."
The Fall '96 California Online Voter Guide is the eighth web site produced by the California Voter Foundation, a Sacramento-based, non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes the use of new technologies to help shape an informed and engaged electorate.
The voter guide is supported through generous grants from the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, Pacific Telesis, Apple Computer, Intel Corp., and the California Teachers Association.
CVF will hold live demonstrations of the voter guide for the news media in its Sacramento office every Friday until Election Day, from 2 - 4 p.m. CVF's offices are located at 926 J Street, Suite 1216 in downtown Sacramento. RSVP's are appreciated, but not necessary. Call (916) 325-2120 for more information.
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