TRAVERSE CITY — The city has a chance to nix its primary election.
The Nov. 7 ballot will include a proposed amendment to the city charter to eliminate the primary election for city commission and mayoral candidates. It will also increase the number of signatures required on a nominating petition to run for office from 25 to 70.
City officials highlighted the cost of holding the election — between $18,000 and $20,000 — poor voter turnout and the frequent failure of the primary to effectively narrow the field of candidates as reasons to abandon it. City clerks from other Michigan cities that lack primaries also said the system works fine for them.
"As long as I've worked here, we've never had a primary," said Manistee Clerk Michelle Wright, a 17-year veteran. "It's worked well."
Manistee requires candidates to collect at least 25 signatures from their district to run for office, she said.
In Traverse City, a primary is triggered when candidates seek office in more than double the number of available seats. Seven candidates seeking three commission spots appeared on the primary ballot in August 2005. The top six vote-getters moved on to campaign in November.
Alpena Clerk Karen Hebert said her city hasn't had a primary in the eight years she's worked there. She said the election is "very expensive" and can be "very confusing" to voters.
"I am all for streamlining," she said. "I don't know how good of a turnout we would have if we had a primary."
Candidates in Alpena must gather at least 50 signatures to run for office.
Traverse City Clerk Debbra Curtiss said she doesn't think the proposed 70-signature requirement will deter commission hopefuls from mounting a campaign.
"We think it is reasonable," she said.
About 12 percent of city voters cast ballots in the 2005 primary, 27 percent in 2001 and 11.6 percent in 1999.
