People love to complain about city government, but only about ten percent or less of eligible voters cast ballots in municipal elections. That's partly because they have no idea who the candidates are or what they stand for. Here are the answers to those questions.
As part of KUT's election coverage, KUT reporters Mose Buchele and Matt Largey interviewed every single candidate for Council, except the one guy who wouldn't call us back. Matt and Mose also produced three features looking at big issues facing the city and explaining candidates' positions on them.
Here are all those stories and interviews in one place, so you can evaluate the candidates and issues for yourself. If you prefer, you can download all of these stories in a one hour-long mp3 file.
Early voting continues through the weekend until Tuesday at 7 pm. Election Day is Saturday, May 14. Find your nearest polling station here.
Where Candidates Stand On Issues
Place One: The Case For And Against Urban Rail
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Largey-Buchele-Place-One-Urban-Rail-MIX-web.mp3
Place Four: The Plan for Austin’s Growth
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Buchele-Largey-Comprehensive-Plan.mp3
Place Three: Candidates on Single-Member Districts
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Largey-Buchele-Single-Member-Districts.mp3
Place 1
Council Race Questions: Chris Riley (incumbent)
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/QA-Buchele-Largey-Riley-Place-One-MIX.mp3
Council Race Questions: Roger Chan
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Buchele-Largey-Chan-WEB.mp3
Council Race Questions: Josiah Ingalls
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/QA-Buchele-Largey-Ingalls-Place-One-MIX.mp3
Place 3
City Council Questions: Randi Shade (incumbent)
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/shade-interview-for-web.mp3
Council Race Questions: Kris Bailey
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bailey-interview.mp3
City Council Questions: Max Nofziger
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/MAX042811web.mp3
City Council Questions: Kathie Tovo
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/QA-Largey-Buchele-Kathie-Tovo-Place-Three-MIX.mp3
Place 4
Council Race Questions: Laura Morrison (incumbent)
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/QA-Buchele-Largey-Morrison-Council-Place-Four-MIX.mp3
City Council Questions: Eric Rangel
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/QA-Buchele-Largey-Rangel-Place-Four-MIX.mp3
City Council Questions: Toby Ryan
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/RYAN042711web.mp3
Everything
Listen to all features and interviews in one hour, or download the mp3.
http://kut.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Austin-City-Council-Election-Coverage-May-2011.mp3