"I want people even in uncompet- itive districts to feel like a part of the process," Weinberg said.

While voting in these districts will not affect which representatives sit on the council, their ranking will affect delegation chairs and representatives' choice of committees, Weinberg said.

Some council members disagreed with the sentiment that there is little interest in the elections.

Council Vice President Lamelle D. Rawlins '99 said most people with whom she has talked are aware of the elections.

"I've only gotten a positive impression so far from people I've talked to," she said.

But even the council's usually upbeat president, Robert M. Hyman '98, said that he was "not thrilled" with the publicity, adding that he decided last night to personally step in in an effort to improve the situation.

Hyman refused to compare publicity in this year's elections to that of previous years, and declined to comment on whether he blamed Heestand for this year's problems.

He did say, however, that most publicity for the council's elections normally comes from the candidates themselves, "and in that respect, this year is no different."

Campaign efforts from the candidates have ranged from intense to easygoing.

"I think a lot of campaigning has been very aggressive," said Amy R. deIpolyi '00, nothing the large number of campaign posters she has seen around the Yard.

"Not mine though," the council candidate added. "I haven't put up a single poster yet. I don't know why."

Council members said they hope that the move to on-line elections for all districts will promote greater turnout.

Last fall, voter turnout averaged 25 percent in the houses and 60 percent in the Yard districts. The higher number in the first-year elections was mostly attributed to the convenience of on-line elections.

"It couldn't be easier for people to vote," Rawlins said. "This is the kind of open access we want people to have [to their representatives].