Voter turnout was low for East Lansing's general election Tuesday night, in which voters approved the elimination of the city's August primary election and returned three incumbents to the city council.

Mayor Mark Meadows, Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh and Councilmember Beverly Baten all won re-election to the city council Tuesday night.

The city's August local primary election, which is held in odd-numbered years, was eliminated by a vote of 1,685-637.

After almost two years of debate, the city council unanimously voted in April to put the issue on the ballot. Council members made their decision based on a lack of candidates and votes during that election in recent years.

Its elimination will save the city more than $20,000 a year and automatically will put candidates on the November general-election ballot if a nominating petition is filed 90 days prior.

The University Student Commission and ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, had expressed support for elimination of the primary.

Kevin Glandon, vice chairperson of the commission, said both groups recognize the primary's elimination would create a better atmosphere for students wanting to run for city council seats.

"It's only logical that it would be eliminated," said Glandon, who also serves as vice chairperson for external affairs for ASMSU. "It doesn't make sense to hold one when the issue could easily be addressed in November."

In the city council race, Meadows earned 1,757 votes, Singh brought in 1,718 votes and 1,606 ballots were cast in favor of Baten.

Singh, who was out of town for the election but cast an absentee ballot, said he's looking forward to continuing on the council.

"I think there's a lot of work