                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996                 TAG: 9604190501
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J1   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: DECISION 96
                                             LENGTH: Short :   32 lines

VOTING SMART: THE ISSUE: CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS ARE COMING IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. PREPARING TO VOTE ISN'T EASY FOR PEOPLE WITH BUSY LIVES, BUT THERE ARE BETTER WAYS YOU CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

MEMO: [For complete wire stories, see microfilm for this date.]

ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

Six ways to make better election-day decisions:

1. Recognize the limitations of television news and of campaign

advertising.

2. Look for forums (such as televised debates and published

speeches) where candidates are less likely to be edited or

censored.

3. Talk - and listen - to people who don't share your political

views.

4. Seek information about issues and candidates beyond the

conventional sources.

5. Join a discussion group and learn how to deliberate.

6. Get involved in your community.

by CNB