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LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION <br />PAGE 18 <br /> <br />DISADVANTAGES OF A WARD SYSTEM <br /> <br />Ward boundaries don't necessarily delineate a homogeneous area. Thus, there may <br />not be a ward interest that justifies separate representation. <br /> <br />A voter in one ward may favor a candidate in another ward, so the ward system <br />prevents the voter from fully exercising his or her freedom of choice. <br /> <br />The ward system may result in unequal representation. Even if the system is not <br />gerrymandered (drawing illogicaI boundaries), natural population shifts may soon <br />render the wards unequal in numbers. <br /> <br />Once established, ward boundaries are difficult to change. Redistricting may be <br />expensive. .. <br /> <br />The ward system encourages a spirit of localness. The basis of council selection <br />tends to be service to the ward, not to the city. A councilmember is more likely to <br />represent private interests rather than the interests of the city. <br /> <br />In some wards, there may be a difficulty in finding qualified candidates who are <br />wilIing to run for office. <br /> <br />PoliticalIy active or speciat ip. terest groups may be over represented by targeting <br />certain wards. <br /> <br />Elections will be more expensive as more polling places and election judges will be <br />needed. It may more difficult for voter to find the correct polling place. <br /> <br />Wards may foster a divisive competition for scarce resources. <br /> <br /> <br />