FARGO (AP) - A new poll shows support in this city for runoff elections to guarantee that the mayor and city commissioners are elected by a majority of voters.

Runoffs have emerged as an issue this election season, with six candidates competing for mayor and each needing only a plurality, or the most votes, to win.

Fargo voters approved a runoff election format in 1986. If candidates didn't receive at least 50 percent of the vote in the April city election, the top two finishers for each seat advanced to a May runoff.

By 2000, voters had grown tired of the runoff elections, which cost about $25,000 each and required them to go to the polls more often. That November, 67 percent of voters approved ending the runoff.

A telephone poll, conducted April 17-20 for the Forum and WDAY-TV, found that 75 percent of the 660 people who responded favored runoff elections. Eighteen percent did not favor runoffs, and 7 percent were unsure. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

North Dakota House Majority Leader Rick Berg, who asked the City Commission earlier this month to consider reinstating runoff elections or switch to a primary election format, said he was surprised by the high level of support.

"It surprises me that it's that strong, although I think people believe that it ensures a good debate on important issues," he said.

City Commissioner Linda Coates said a primary election format would force city candidates to mount two campaigns instead of one.

City commissioners have appointed a committee to study options for city elections.