UPDATE: Rochester Public Schools is on the verge of a significant electoral change. The school board has proposed eliminating the need for primary elections for board positions, allowing all candidates to compete directly in the general election this November. This decision was discussed during a critical meeting on February 3, 2023, and a vote will take place at the next board meeting.
Why This Matters NOW: If approved, this change could streamline the election process, making it clearer for voters and potentially saving costs for the district. Board Chairwoman Cathy Nathan emphasized the importance of consistency in school board elections, stating, “The message to voters would be clear: school board elections take place during the November general election, and all seats and all candidates for school board would be on the ballot at the same time.”
Currently, candidates for the Rochester School Board run for specific seats within the seven-member governing body. Since 2010, the district has mandated primary elections whenever there are more than two candidates for a single seat. Nathan argues that removing this requirement would not only cut unnecessary election costs but also simplify the electoral process for candidates, who would no longer need to campaign for both primaries and general elections.
Rochester is among only seven out of over 300 school districts in the state that still conduct primary elections. This makes the proposed change particularly noteworthy. Board member Justin Cook expressed his desire for more comprehensive reforms, advocating for a complete overhaul of the current system.
Rochester’s unique “alley” system allows candidates to select specific seats for their campaigns, rather than competing against all candidates for the highest vote count. Cook criticized this setup, claiming, “It’s incredibly confusing; it’s not intuitive to anyone. It’s completely arbitrary; it allows for gamesmanship. It’s not good for democracy.”
What’s Next: As the board prepares for the upcoming vote, community members and stakeholders are encouraged to share their views. If the proposal passes, all eyes will be on the November general election to see how this new approach affects voter turnout and candidate engagement.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Rochester Public Schools rethinks the future of its electoral process.
