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+ 4 Property Records and Revenue Joseph M ansky, Elections Division Manager 72Z Government Center West 50 West Kellogg Boulevard St Paul, NIN 55I D2.1696 February 6, 2003 Carolyn Curti City of Roseville 2660 civic Center Drive Roseville, IVIN 5511 Dear Carolyn' Phone: 651-266-2111 Fax: 651-266-21'77 TT 9.66 -2110 You have indicated that the city of Roseville is considering adoption of a municipal primary, to be held for the first time in 2006. You have asked about the impact of the primary when held in the even - numbered years. The following is a brief discussion of this issue. The object of a primary is to reduce the field of candidates to a maximum of two in the general election. From an administrative standpoint, this is useful. There are normally a large number of offices and questions on the general electron ballot in an even - numbered gear. We have a limited amount of space on the ballot and periodically fill both sides in the state general election. Having municipal offices on the ballot without a primary increases the probability that two ballots will be required for the general election. My best estimate is that a second ballet in the general election would increase Foseville's election costs by approximately $6,000. This would cover the costs of programming, printing, testing* and counting the second ballot. Based on the recent experience in Hennepin and Sherburne counties using two ballots, our preference would be to avoid this situation if possible+ On the other hand* there is ample space on the primary ballot for a large number of municipal candidates, given the fact that there are generally a small number of nonpartisan offices on the primary ballot_ Again, from a purely administrative standpoint, it is preferable to have the lamer number of municipal candidates on the primary ballot than on the general election ballot: simply because there is less competition for space on the primary ballot. All large cities in Minnesota conduct municipal primaries. In Ramsey this includes the cities of saint Raul and Maplewood. In those communities, voters .. have an expectation that they will be asked to narrow the field of candidates for T #, the general election at the primary. This situation is not uncommon. to 2001,16 Minnesota's First Home Rule County Ili im, ,I , Pty r, %4 I,•,I 11JI r, -r imli , 4iirrtIni$Pr ,, f III . I..,tir ry iic •r , i.nr, -lo 5i