Seven candidates did not have to worry about the grind and stress of elections Tuesday - because they had no opposition.
But they also did not have much support at the polls, either. Nearly 50 percent of city residents are registered voters, but only 22 percent of voters showed up.
“It’s very typical there’s a drop-off in nonpartisan races,” City Clerk Sharon Reid said of how voters tend to not complete their ballots because they get voter fatigue. “It’s something we don’t encourage.”
But those who did complete a full ballot noticed several politicians running unopposed. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, will try to retain his seat when he squares off against state Rep. Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, R-Farmington Hills, on Nov. 5, the same day Incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, is set to duke it out with attorney Frank McAlpine, D-East Lansing, for a seat in the 8th District U.S. House.
Also, incumbent state Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, is set to run against financer Larry Ward, R-Williamston, for a spot in the 69th District state House and state Rep. Paul DeWeese, R-Williamston, ran unopposed in the 23rd District and in November will face Virg Bernero, D-Lansing.
DeWeese said not having to worry about a primary was relaxing and he could not wait to see who he would be up against in the fall.
“It’s wonderful,” DeWeese said. “I’ve been able to plan for November all along.”
It might have been wonderful for DeWeese, but political experts say traditional low voter turnout at primaries is unsettling, especially since so many races were uncontested or low-profile races.
MSU political science Professor Carol Weissert said the primaries rank third in voter turnout, behind presidential then senate races.
“I think it’s because often times people aren’t well-informed,” she said. “It’s terrible.”
DeWeese said many Republicans probably stayed at home because his party isn’t making any big political waves.
“I clearly think most people see the activity in the Democrats,” DeWeese said, mentioning the governor’s race was the highlight of the ballot.
East Lansing resident Connie Currier was part of that Democrat activity and she voted in the uncontested races.
“I think you need to decide whether you vote for that candidate or not because it gives the candidate some understanding of their approval,” Currier said.
Kathyrn Capogna agreed and took her son Alex with her to the polls to prove a point.
“I do (agree),” the East Lansing resident said. “Especially to show him how to do it - he needs to learn.”
There was support in the community toward unopposed candidates. The candidates topping the list of uncontested candidates were Whitmer, who received 3,385 votes and Levin, who notched 3,492 votes. All numbers were final, with all 17 precincts reporting.
City Manager Ted Staton had not seen any turnout numbers, but said he is always glad to see that residents are voting.
“I think there’s a lot of issues that people will vote on,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had an above-average turnout.”
Staff writers Tara May and Amy Bartner contributed to this report.
