Detroit’s non-partisan election for Mayor on August 6 featured a strong write-in candidate, Mike Duggan. The election night tally showed that he received more votes than any ballot-listed candidate. But when it came time for the official canvass to be prepared, almost half of his votes were not included, because of the way precinct polling place officials tallied write-ins. This Detroit Free Press column explains the problem. The city has asked the State Canvassing Board to help determine the correct totals.

In any event, whether Mike Duggan placed first or second, he and the other candidate who received the most votes will be on the November ballot for a run-off, since no one got as much as 50% on August 7. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.

The August 19 Newsday has this editorial, suggesting several changes to how candidates for partisan office are nominated in New York. Newsday is the largest daily newspaper in New York’s suburban counties on Long Island. The editorial recommends that voters be allowed to switch parties and make that switch effective quickly. Current law won’t let a voter switch parties except in the year before the change takes effect.

The editorial also calls on making it illegal for two parties to jointly nominate the same candidate, but the editorial writer (and many of the commenters) seem unaware that in 1912, the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court, interpreted the New York Constitution to protect the ability of two parties to nominate the same candidate.

The editorial also recommends easier ballot access for candidates to get on a primary ballot. The New York legislature has adjourned for the year, so any changes can’t be made until next year. Thanks to William Stevenson for the link.