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certain number of candidates were running, but that option was problematic due to the filing <br /> deadlines. He stated that there has been a deterioration in interest in running for public office. He <br /> stated that because people are not showing up for the primaries, the consensus was to eliminate <br /> that requirement. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove referenced the situation where a primary could be be held with the <br /> general election primary. <br /> Charter Commission Chairperson Field commented that there was less resistance to that because <br /> it would not have much of an additional cost. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove stated that it seems that the Charter Commission recommended <br /> elimination of primary elections for city government elections. <br /> Charter Commission Chairperson Field agreed that because the trend has been that people are not <br /> showing up for those primary elections, it would seem practical to eliminate that requirement. <br /> Councilmember Kuzma stated that the changes seem to be mostly cost driven. He stated that the <br /> number of special elections in the past few years seem to be an anomaly. He stated that he likes <br /> the process of holding primaries. He stated that poor voter turnout is not the fault of the process <br /> and would not be in favor of eliminating that step. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau stated that the reality of the last two special elections had a higher percentage <br /> of turnout than the City typically has for special elections. He recognized that special elections <br /> typically have an inherently low voter turnout. <br /> Councilmember Specht asked the cost to hold a primary election. <br /> Administrative Services Director Lasher estimated about$25,000 for an at large seat while a ward <br /> seat would be about $10,000. <br /> Councilmember Menth asked if the Charter discussed right choice voting. <br /> Charter Commission Chairperson Fields noted that was determined to be a separate discussion that <br /> the Commission will discuss in the future. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove asked how many Charter cities choose to hold primary elections and <br /> how many do not. <br /> Charter Commission Chairperson Fields stated that most Charter cities do not engage in primary <br /> elections. <br /> Councilmember Riley stated that the Charter Commission was provided the detailed information, <br /> while the Council did not hear the same details. He stated that in regard to primaries it seems that <br /> the City would either need to choose to hold primaries or not hold them. He noted that if primaries <br /> are kept that seems to negate some of the work to streamline the process. <br /> City Council Work Session/December 10,2019 <br /> Page 5 of 8 <br />