Through the first three days of early voting here, 9,874 votes were cast in the general election and 7,265 votes were cast in the City of Lubbock Special Election.

"The Special Election is only for residents of the city of Lubbock," noted City Secretary Becky Garza, "because the issue on the ballot concerns a charter amendment to move governance of Lubbock Power & Light from the City Council to a citizen board."

By voting yes to amending the charter, as The A-J editorial board recommends, Lubbock residents have an opportunity to help LP&L secure its financial future by making the municipally owned utility a stand-alone public corporation.

In this regard, Mayor Marc McDougal has demonstrated to us that he is dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of city government are available to the citizens.

"This charter election," the mayor says, "is a move to place LP&L under the direction of citizens who will have authority over a city asset. The City Council will continue to have final authority, but the charter election will place LP&L in the hands of the citizens."

An 11-member Political Action Committee, "Vote Yes! For Citizen Control of LP&L," chaired by J.Q. Warnick Jr., has been disseminating information about the charter amendment. In addition to Mr. Warnick, other members are: Gary Boren, W.R. Collier, Kimber Holt, Tom Martin, Marc McDougal, Bill Miller, John Owens, Phil Price, Craig Wells and Connie Wharton.

Since 1969, six citizen committees beginning with the Chamber of Commerce Goals for the 70s committee, then five City Council-appointed committees have recommended to the City Councils of Lubbock to create an independent board of citizens to operate and manage LP&L.

"This charter vote," Mr. Warnick explains, "is the first opportunity that citizens of Lubbock have been given to express their opinion of this recommendation." He adds:

"We are simply trying to assure that the purpose of LP&L from its beginning in 1916 of providing dependable electric service at economical and competitive rates will be assured to the LP&L customers in the future."

Along with the LP&L charter election adding to the mix, a close presidential election and a hotly contested District 19 race are the driving components of the increase in voter participation that Lubbock is experiencing, according to Mayor McDougal. "I am confident," he said, "that the citizens of Lubbock realize the importance of these elections and will continue to voice their stance by getting out and voting."

In Lubbock County, approximately 70,000 voters went to the polls for the 2000 General Election — and more are expected to vote in this year's election, according to Elections Administrator Dorothy Kennedy.