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Zac Crain says he's changed his voting ways.

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Chris Heinbaugh reports

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DALLAS - While 21 people are asking Dallas voters to choose them for mayor in May, some may be wondering how often the candidates actually get to the polls and cast ballots themselves.

When News 8 checked in on those numbers, some seemed to fall a little short.

During Laura Miller's second run at office, she was hoping for a chance at another four years to shape Dallas as mayor and thousands turned out to vote.

However, Editor Zac Crain, who now has his eye on the job, sat it out.

A reporter at the time, he said he doesn't deny that he knows better than most about the importance of voting.

"I do," he said. "I do."

But Crain's voting record isn't good.

Since 2000, he has missed three primaries, two state votes, three mayorals, two bond elections and the police pay referendum.

His statistics show that he hit the booths only 6 of 17 elections, which totals 24 percent.

But Crain said he has changed and does vote.

"I realized I had something to give the city, everybody does," he said. "And by not using your vote, you are doing a disservice to everybody, not just to yourself, but everybody."

But a record like that may cause some voters to wonder.

"A politician that doesn't vote much has some explaining to do," said Cal Killson, a WFAA-TV political analyst.

News 8 examined county election records of the top candidates for mayor. The probe looked into 17 major elections since 2000, which included national, state and important city races and bond elections.

Three of the candidates, Darrell Jordan, Max Wells and Don Hill, all had 100 percent scores.

"Voting is something that is as sacred and essential a right as any citizens will have," Hill said.

But John Coppola falls well behind. He skipped most primaries and state elections before moving to Dallas two years ago. His statistic stands at voting at 45 percent of eligible elections. Tom Leppert fared better at 54 percent.

"The record is what it is," Leppert said of his numbers.

Before moving to Dallas in 2003, Leppert skipped primaries and state votes.

Then came the big election in November 2005. There was the topic of bonds for the badly needed Homeless Assistance Center and the controversial Strong Mayor Vote to reshape the city charter. Leppert supported it and worked for passage, but didn't cast a vote. He said he feels voters will understand.

"I think they will look at involvement in the kinds of things you're talking about," he said. "But, I think they're also going to look at involvement in community activities and community service and those sorts of things; and I feel good about that."

How good will voters feel? Two months will tell.

Voting history of the major candidates for Dallas mayor:*

Zac Crain: 24%

VOTED IN: 6 of 17

NOTE: Missed city elections, primaries, DISD Bond, 2003 Bond, 1st Strong Mayor, Police Pay referendum.

John Cappello: 45%

VOTED IN: 5 of 11

Lived in Lancaster until 2005. Only counted state and national until registered in Dallas.

Tom Leppert: 54%

VOTED IN: 7 of 13

Lived in Park Cities until 2003. Only counted state and national until registered in Dallas.

Roger Herrera: 76%

VOTED IN: 13 of 17

NOTE: Skipped police pay referendum.

Sam Coats: 77%

VOTED IN: 10 of 13

Moved back into Dallas in late 2001.

Larry Duncan: 88%

VOTED IN: 15 of 17

NOTE: Among those missed was the 1st Strong Mayor vote.

Gary Griffith: 94%

VOTED IN: 16 of 17

NOTE: Missed the police pay referendum

Ed Oakley: 94%

VOTED IN: 16 of 17

Don Hill: 100%

VOTED IN: 17 of 17

Darrell Jordan: 100%

VOTED IN: 17 of 17

Max Wells: 100%

VOTED IN: 17 of 17

* Percentages came from 17 major elections since 2000, which included national, state and important city races and bond elections. In some cases, candidates did not live in the city during these votes and the percentages were adjusted to only include elections they were eligible.

E-mail cheinbaugh@wfaa.com