Baltimore is one of a few jurisdictions in the entire country, not to mention within the state of Maryland, that has a separate mayoral election where only four positions are voted for. Those positions are mayor, city council president, comptroller and city council member. What a significant waste of time, money and manpower.

Baltimore should combine its mayoral primary and general elections with either the presidential election or, preferably, the gubernatorial election. There would be significant savings of money and, as demonstrated several years ago when Barack Obama was elected, an increase in the dismal voter turnout that we are experiencing.

We would not only significantly reduce the staffing and cost for election day, but we would eliminate the separate early voting cost.

Marvin L. Cheatham Sr., Baltimore