Web-based system lets users schedule 15-minute chats with the City Council Candidate

The COVID-19 pandemic is altering every aspect of civic life, including the way candidates connect with voters.

Pre-pandemic, candidates often met constituents face-to-face. They walked the streets of their communities, knocking on their neighbors’ doors. They shook hands, slapped backs, and kissed babies.

All that has changed, and City Council candidates like Yasmine-Imani McMorrin are finding new ways during the pandemic to safely build relationships with Culver City voters, and hear their concerns.

McMorrin’s campaign has launched an online system where anyone can schedule a brief talk with the candidate. Users sign-up for the candidate’s newsletter on her campaign’s website, mcmorrinforculvercity.com, and are sent a link to choose a time slot from an easy-to-use Doodle poll calendar. They receive an email confirming the date and time, with a Zoom link they use to converse with McMorrin.

The next Office Hours are scheduled for August 20th, 6 - 7pm. Be sure to sign-up for the campaign newsletter if you’re interested in reserving a time slot to talk with McMorrin.

“My goals for city government are centered on equity and inclusion. Part of that is finding ways to reach people, and listen to every voice in the community, including those who have been underrepresented, or are absent from civic decision-making,” explained McMorrin.

The experiment in direct voter engagement has already exceeded the campaign’s expectations. “I didn’t know what to expect, but the conversations have been really substantive and meaningful,” McMorrin shared. “Voters have expressed some deeply-held hopes and concerns for Culver City, and were receptive to our campaign’s goals for addressing them.”

McMorrin has also launched a Connect with Yasmine series of online events. The podcast-like interviews feature the candidate in conversation with leaders and experts on a range of issues. The episodes will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, and made available to watch on the candidate’s website, at mcmorrinforculvercity.com/videos.

In a Connect with Yasmine episode July 14^th, McMorrin discussed equity, race relations, and civil rights with Portia Allen-Kyle, Civil Rights Attorney & Principal at FuturaBold. On Aug. 1^st, she spoke with José Trinidad Castaneda, a climate activist, Sierra Club leader, and permaculture designer, who examined the connections between climate change, the food industry, home construction, and energy consumption. 

These critical conversations will continue on the next Connect with Yasmine, August 16th at 6 pm, when McMorrin welcomes Kristen Torres Pawling as her guest. The LA County Sustainability Program Director (not representing LA County) will discuss the County's sustainability plan and the importance of working with other cities, an invaluable discussion as Yasmine helps steer Culver City towards a sustainable and equitable future.

Yasmine-Imani McMorrin currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Culver City General Plan Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Culver City Unified School District Equity Strategic Planning Committee. She was recently promoted to Interim Dean of Students and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at USC Gould School of Law, where she works to support students’ well-being during their law school journey, while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

For more information on the candidate, and to endorse, volunteer, or contribute to her campaign, please visit mcmorrinforculvercity.com.