Letter: Vote no for Measure C on Nov. 8

Proponents of Measure C advocate that change is needed to 'fix the City Charter.” However, the fact of the matter is that it does not need fixing and the proposed change is detrimental.

Measure C, in plain and simple terms, will make it easier for special interests to influence local government by significantly reducing the required number of signatures necessary for initiative and referendum measures. Carefully timed referendums can capitalize on elections with traditionally low voter turnout to pass measures without a broad base of community support. Our existing charter uses signature thresholds that help protect against this abuse and should not be changed. The authors of Measure C may have good intentions about how to use this change to their advantage, but others may not. Measure C represents a dangerous opportunity for special interests to game our local political system.

Let's keep existing safeguards in place. Vote no to Measure C.

Rick Fosse

Iowa City