This year’s general election could very well be decided by a few dedicated groups of political observers as it has been for several years, a veteran political consultant said.

Jewett Walker, Jr., who follows Culver City politics, says the mood this year has been “lazy,” with not as much interest as in past elections.

“Outside of the people who typically get involved in the local campaigns, I haven’t talked to a lot of people who seem to be involved this year,” said Walker, who owns Walker Communications, a political consulting firm in Marina del Rey.

The absence of a ballot initiative like Measure U, which would have lowered the city’s user utility tax in 2004, or an initiative that updated Culver City’s charter two years later, will likely not help the turnout this year, according to Walker.

“Typically, Culver City elections have low turnout, compared to other cities,” the political consultant noted.

Among incumbent Scott Malsin and contenders Meghan Sahli-Wells, Jeff -Cooper and Robert Zirgulis, their -supporters and Culver City’s political faithful, the last days of the campaign mean last-minute phone calls, personal visits to undecided voters and a rehash of their platforms. But there are some residents who do not seem as energized as the diehard political junkies.

Carlson Park homeowner Sandra Kallendar admits that she has not given the election a lot of her attention, although some of her co-workers have mentioned that the red-light traffic camera protests led by Zirgulis have caught their attention.

While Kallander, who was one of the primary supporters and organizers of Measure U, does not have much of an opinion about this year’s campaign, she does believe that Sahli-Wells or Zirgulis could offer the council a much-needed injection of creative thinking.

“Sometimes you have to rock the boat,” she said.

To Amada Mayeda, backing from certain organizations matters.

“I think that endorsements are an important factor,” she said. “The Democratic Club endorsement is another important factor, but not as important as individual endorsements.”

Albert Vera also thinks the city can benefit from new voices on the city council, but feels that none of the campaigns have impressed him very much.

“Many people have told me that they are not very interested in this election,” said Vera, a three-time city councilman in Culver City and the owner of Sorrento’s Italian Market.

Vera is pleased that all candidates have publicly stated they will not cut services to the police and fire departments.

“They are our crucial services,” he said.

Walker thinks Malsin and Cooper have name recognition, which he says is a strong asset in a local election. But he also said that turnout would be important, especially for a candidate like Sahli-Wells, who is new to electoral politics.

“She’s been working very hard, and if she can get her supporters to the polls, there’s a good chance that she can win,” he said.

As an incumbent, Malsin has the distinct advantage of having institutional backing both locally and at the county level, Walker said. Cooper, who came in fifth in the council race two years ago, has a good chance because historically in Culver City, contenders who lose their initial campaign but run again almost always win.

“(Former councilwoman) Carol Gross did, as did (current councilman) Gary Silbiger,” noted Walker, who has managed several campaigns in Culver City but is not affiliated with any candidate this year.

Walker has not seen Zirgulis do much of what successful campaigners in local elections do, which is knock on doors and walk precincts.

“I haven’t seen any mailers from him either, which is also part of a winning campaign,” Walker added.

Vera hopes that in the next election cycle there will be a candidate that stands out to him, for he feels the city where he has resided for more than 50 years needs new leadership, especially during a national financial meltdown.

“I’m hoping that there will be a bright young candidate that steps forward soon,” Vera said. “And I will give that candidate all my support.”

The candidates that can get their supporters to the polls will make the difference, especially for the second spot, Walker believes.

“That, and the kind of campaign that a candidate runs, is always the biggest factor,” he concluded.