Wampum

The Detriot Free Press reports:

Party may pay for primary do-over Legislature's OK would be needed

BY KATHLEEN GRAY and TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

As negotiators continued to work Wednesday on developing an acceptable plan for a possible do-over Democratic presidential primary in Michigan, the prospect of a state-run -- but party-funded -- primary was raised as a potential alternative to an election conducted through the mail.

The prospect of a state-run primary had been initially shelved because of the cost and Gov. Jennifer Granholm's insistence that the taxpayers not be stuck with a bill that could exceed $10 million.

But with Democratic leaders, including Govs. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and Jon Corzine of New Jersey, promising to raise money, there could be a mechanism for a state-run primary paid for at party expense.

It would require the Legislature's approval.

The possibility of a mail-in contest remains on the table as well. Sen. Carl Levin has called it the most practical approach, though the Obama campaign has raised concerns about ballot security, access and tabulation of the ballots with no system currently in place to hold such an election.