Political symposiums geared toward community, students

March 20, 2006 —

The Center for Politics and Public Service will be holding three symposiums in April aimed at educating students and the community about state and local elections.

The symposiums, the first of which is on Wednesday, April 5, will focus on issues regarding elections, including ballot access, campaign financing, and election day issues.

Each will last from 7 to 9 p.m., an unusual time for symposiums but one that is intentional, according to the Center's director, James Randall Johnson.

"The idea is to appeal to the public as well," he explains.

Johnson says that the focus is essentially a 50-50 split between students and the local community. He acknowledges that there will not be many students running for office either this year or in 2008, but hopes that the symposiums can educate them for when they do decide to do so later.

The April 5 symposium will focus on ballot access for citizens, Johnson says. The topic can include issues regarding the amount of precincts within a community and wait time for voters. Johnson says he hopes to bring in Saginaw County Clerk Sue Kaltenbach for the symposium.

While the dates have been confirmed for the symposiums, Johnson says the speakers have not yet been. He has verbal commitments from Bay County Commissioner Brian Elder, Judge Tom Kelly, and State Senator Jim Barcia.

Additionally, Johnson says, invitations have been sent out to members of identifiable political parties asking for their input on candidate recruitment and how political parties can or will assist potential candidates.

Johnson says confirming the speakers has been difficult, because as the Center's director, he is responsible for putting the symposiums together.

Last year, Johnson enlisted the help of 10 students for an April symposium on the media and its effects on politics. Planning that symposium took three months, Johnson says, and now he is planning three within one month.

"There is no such thing as a part-time job," Johnson says.

A full-time lawyer practicing out of Midland, Johnson says the contacts he has established have helped him in securing commitments for the symposiums. The only snag, he says, is confirming when the speakers can come.

When discussing the Center, Johnson says he has received a positive reception around the area. Most importantly, he says, the support has been bipartisan.

The second symposium will discuss campaigning. Johnson plans to have many issues covered here, including the organization, planning and staffing, issues related to the legality of political campaigns, and filing requirements.

"State and local campaigns are so different (than federal ones)," he says. "Most people don't understand what they are getting themselves into."

Johnson points to the considerable amount of time, money, and energy it takes to run a successful campaign as elements that most people do not consider when wishing to run for local public office.

The symposium will also deal with media relations, specifically campaign advertising. It will explore what type of advertising works, and what can backfire on candidates.

Finally, the third symposium will deal with election day issues, including compliance on certain issues leading up to elections, GOTV (get out the vote programs), identification of key precinct areas, and polling place legalities.

When discussing the symposiums, Johnson also emphasizes the "Public Service" aspect of the Center.

While the symposiums themselves will be mainly political, Johnson says the Center is also creating ways to put students in a position to utilize the knowledge they gain at SVSU and work with real people in real social settings. Increasingly, this will be accomplished through internship opportunities in social service agencies, not-for-profits, and other entities.

Johnson says anyone interested in helping with the Center for Politics and Public Service or wishing for information may contact him at (989) 964-7044.