The first reading of an ordinance to reinstate a primaries for future mayoral and city commission elections was presented Tuesday. The ordinance, which will be voted on after a second reading, has already received support from the majority of City-elected officials.
Commissioner Jeff Sanford said the move would be “more fair to the public and to the candidates.”
“You get to know the candidates a little better — where they stand and what they stand for,” he said. “With so many candidates that ran in past elections, it’s really tough on the community to figure out who stands for what and what they’d like to do. I think it’s a good idea to bring it back.”
Noting the local 2020 races, which featured a record-setting 16 commission and four mayoral candidates, Mayor Tom Watson said he agreed with Sanford.
City Manager Nate Pagan said the new ordinance would amend an old one approved by a previous board of commissioners to disband the nonpartisan primary election.
“Under existing state law, the determination of whether or not to hold a primary election for the offices of mayor and commissioners is at the discretion of the board of commissioners,” Pagan said. “The previous commission approved by ordinance the elimination of the primary. Both in comments made publicly and in discussions with you individually, it is clear there is interest in reinstating the primary election for City offices.”
If approved, the primary would be reinstated for subsequent elections if the required number of candidates file for office, Pagan said.
Primaries would be held for mayoral races with three or more candidates, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the General Election. For city commission races with nine or more candidates, the top eight vote-getters will advance to the General Election.
