Citizen Voices: A Different Take on the Election

Citizen Voices is KPBS' new election-related blog written by local San Diegans. For those of you tired of hearing from the same old pundits every election season, Citizen Voices will provide a refreshing change: Perspectives from smart, civically-engaged people like you.

We reviewed over 90 outstanding applications from university professors, veterans, soccer moms, college students, surfers, filmmakers, journalists, lawyers, and more, who wanted to blog for KPBS. It was tough, but we narrowed down the list to six outstanding individuals who'll be blogging their way through the coming 11 months.

Our Citizen Voices bloggers will be giving you their take on the candidates, campaign politics, local propositions, and other political issues. They're eager to dive in and explore the issues important to their communities. And they'll be sharing their observations regularly on KPBS Radio's These Days and KPBS TV's Envision San Diego.

You'll hear voices from different portions of the political spectrum, and maybe one of them will sound like yours. And maybe another one will make you stop and think, "Wow, I never would have thought of that. I'm going to have to re-evaluate." And yet another will get you fired up to respond with an opposing view.

Engaging the public

We're looking forward to opening up a public dialogue between the Citizen Voices bloggers, KPBS, and you -- the public. We hope you'll engage directly with Citizen Voices -- add your own voice to the mix -- by posting comments on their blogs.

	Name: Candace Suerstedt Age: Unabridged Boomer Neighborhood: Coronado Background: Born in Texas, graduated from Coronado High School. Political Affiliation: Democrat
	Name: Charles Hartley Age: 43 Neighborhood: Escondido Background: Born and raised in Huntington Beach Political Affiliation: Republican
	Name: Steven Garrett Age: 29 Neighborhood: Chula Vista Background: Born and raised in Kansas City, MO Political Affiliation: Libertarian
	Name: Trina Boice Age: Celebrating 29 again and again Neighborhood: Carlsbad Background: Born and raised in Northern California Political Affiliation: Republican
	Name: Chris McConnell Age: 37 Neighborhood: La Jolla Background: Born in Idaho, raised everywhere. Political Affiliation: Lukewarm Democrat
	Name: Alma Sove Age: 35 Neighborhood: City Heights History: Born in San Francisco, raised in San Diego. Political Affiliation: Democrat