LEELANAU COUNTY -- 2010 brings a record setting primary ballot in Leland Township, where 15 people are running for precinct delegate.
“This is much more than we ever had. I can’t remember a year when anybody who signed up to be a prescient delegate was not automatically elected,” said Leland Township Clerk Jane Keen.
It’s a similar story in Bingham Township.
“I would say there is 50-75% more this year than in a normal year,” said Bingham Township Clerk Peggy Core.
The trend is consistent throughout Leelanau County. Some local officials attribute it to an increase of political interest. Others say people with invested party interest are encouraging some delegates to run.
“There has been some talk that there was some…not politicking…but some encouragement from some people to get people to run for that position so they could present a certain candidate,” Keen said.
It’s a perfectly legal political strategy. Delegates, once elected, have the opportunity to influence who is nominated for Attorney General, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor.
“If you have a strong candidate and you have a good team trying to elect that candidate, you want as many people as possible that would support them as prescient candidates,” Keen said.
Whether the increase is fueled by political participation or party strategy, delegates have become a hot ticket in Leelanau County.
