Mayoral Runoff Race Will Cost Avon Lake Between $25,000 and $30,000
Dec. 6 runoff means paying poll workers, printing ballots
Mayoral candidate Greg Zilka may have been half-joking when he said voters could save the city money by electing him mayor by a majority vote on Nov. 8.
"I have a suggestion on how to save the city between $20,000 and $25,000,” Zilka said at the Dec. 27 Candidates' Night. “If you all vote for me we wont have a runoff and we’ll save that money.”
Avon Lake's charter requires the mayor to earn a majority vote.
When the polls closed, it was clear with the top vote getter earning only 40 percent of the votes, a Dec. 6 runoff between Zilka and KC Zuber was evident. That races comes at a price.
Lorain County Board of Elections Director Paul Adams said the runoff race will cost the city of Avon Lake between $25,000 and $30,000.
“The city of Avon Lake will bear the entire cost of the election,” Adams said.
Unlike the cost of the General Election, where the cost was spread out over a number of races and issues, Avon Lake voters will see only one issue on the Dec. 6 ballot—the mayor’s race.
“The bulk of that cost is paying for poll workers,” Adams said, but added the cost of printing the ballots, machine supplies, posters and other election-related items have to be paid for by the city.
“The cost will immediately be paid for the county, but Avon Lake will have to pay it back,” Adams said.
Adams noted that runoffs like the Dec. 6 one—and the costs involved—could be avoided if the city had Primary Elections with those winners moving on to the General Election.
Robert Bernie
12:56 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
If Mr Berner would have never wasted the voters time we would have saved $30,000.00 When Berner said he was a fiscal conservative he LIED.
Sarah
2:44 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Who decided this stupid rule of 50%! To me a win is a win. Have a recount since it was so close but to vote all over again? Ridiculous!!
And yes Robert, Berner should have bowed out!
russ henderson
7:04 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
an old fashioned coin toss is cheaper and has been used before.
nancy manner
7:55 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
maybe if every registered voter in Avon Lake showed up at the polls perhaps this might not have happened. Here's a though,t the winning candidate pledges a part of his salary over the term to pay off the debt without compromising the coffers of Avon Lake.
Lou
8:50 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
How do we get a mail in ballot? I voted at Troy and would like to avoid that experience again. The poll workers in my ward were very rude, not only to my family but to the couple in front of me. No wonder more do not show up to vote when treated that way.
Dan LaVigne
9:48 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Please city council look at getting rid of this stupid law. Save $30,000.00 in these desparte times. The winner is the one with the most votes. Zilka if you really want to a good candiate just stop this run off election and give the man with the most votes the victory
Dan M
11:16 am on Thursday, November 10, 2011
Mr Zilka I assume you will be reading these comments and with good reason. I don't say this to be disrespectful or funny, and think you would make a outstanding mayor. I say this to ensure that you will get elected next term, and to save the city a considerable amount of money in a time it needs to.
Either you or Mr Zuber will win this race & the only deciding factor will be who shows up to vote twice, the turnout will be low and the result will be a what they call a crap shoot. EIther one of you will do a great job & the city will continue to be the best. But no other action in the world of politics could make a candidate stand out more than dropping out of the race to save the money of the additional run off campaign. I voted for Mr. Zuber only because he does not have a pension yet, and this last term would allow him a modest public employee pension which we I know you care about. Further this noble action would make you everyone's number one candidate for next race hands down. I guess my thoughts is that there are many people with less than noble intentions of wanting to be mayor. You and Mr Zuber are exceptions. I would love to see him finish the job he started & you take the helm after.....and keep it a very long time. By dropping out now and avoiding a runoff - your actions would be remembered.