Election 2004: Locals boost voting among young adults, Hispanics Election 2004: Locals boost voting among young adults, Hispanics (October 20, 2004)

There's a new Web site for undecided voters to see which candidate they agree with the most -- Bush or Kerry.

Andy and Deborah Rappaport of Portola Valley, longtime supporters of the Democratic Party, have been putting a great deal of money and time toward various efforts to increase voting among young adults and Hispanics.

One project they're backing, says Ms. Rappaport, is a new interactive Web site, CompareDecideVote.org. It takes users through the positions of President George Bush and Sen. John Kerry on 20 key issues, lets them check off which viewpoint most closely matches their own, and tallies scores at the end.

"It's all sourced, and it's as objective as we could make it," she says.

Other projects include Music for America, voter outreach through dance club DJs and independent hip-hop and rap musicians, that the Rappaports helped found.

Ms. Rappaport says her introduction to political activism began in 1972 when she worked on the congressional campaign of ... John Kerry.

"We go way back," she laughs, but says she hasn't kept in close touch with Sen. Kerry over the years.

Ruskin, Poizner face off in Menlo

State Assembly candidates Ira Ruskin and Steve Poizner will discuss issues and answer questions at a joint meeting of the Menlo Park Rotary and Kiwanis clubs on Wednesday, October 27.

The meeting will convene for lunch at noon in Menlo Park's Recreation Center, and then move to the City Council chambers for the discussion between the candidates.

The public is invited to attend the candidate forum portion of the meeting in the council chambers, set to begin at 1 p.m. There is no charge for admission.

Pro-and-con sessions on ballot measures

Pros and cons on state propositions on the November 2 ballot will be discussed at free programs sponsored by the League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County.

The measures range from government finance to casino gambling, changing the "Three Strikes" law, and funding stem cell research.

Dates, times and locations are:

** Wednesday, October 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. at St. Bede's Church, 2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park. There will be a question-and-answer period, and St. Bede's will provide sandwiches and soft drinks beginning at 6 p.m. in the Great Hall. There is no admission charge but a donation and reservations are requested; call 854-6555.

** Menlo Park City Council chambers, 801 Laurel St. in the Civic Center, from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, October 26. Co-sponsor is the Menlo-Atherton Branch of the American Association of University Women.

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