Terrorist Attacks Put Local Politics On Back Burner

DURHAM, N.C. — When it is election time, you usually know it. Mailboxes are crammed with campaign fliers and signs are posted up and down the streets, but with the primaries less than two weeks away, it has been relatively quiet on the campaign front.

Dan Hill is running for City Council, but if you are like many voters, you might not even realize it's election time.

He says for the most part, elections and campaigning have been put on the back burner ever since September 11.

"It's really hard to get focused on a local election when there are so many issues out there," he says. "There have been no forums and very few meetings. People have really turned off their interest to local politics."

There is one clear sign that this might not be a typical election year -- the lack of signs. Usually, street corners would be filled with them, but right now, there is only a handful.

However, not everyone is taking a low-key approach. City Council candidate Angie Langley says she has not changed her campaign strategy at all.

"I think the election will help get them on the right track. We have to continue living," Langley said.

"We've been sort of quietly going about the business of talking to different groups," said John Burness, who is with a grassroots group pushing the bond referendum.

Primaries are scheduled to be held Tuesday, October 9. Election day is November 6.