Agenda - Charter Commission - 02/15/2001

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATi.-..ON PAGE 17 'WARDS The consolidation commission is required to consider whether a ward System shall be included in the form of government of the proposed consolidated commktee. The w~ird system is a method of election in which the city is divided into districts, theoretically of equal population. Minn. Stat. § 414.041, subd. 5 provides that the Municipal Board may. in its order, establish a ward system in the new city. If wards are established, not less than three nor more than seven wards, shall be established. Each ward shall elect one council member. If more than two years have elapsed after consolidation, the-city council may, by a four-fifth vote, abolish the ward system. Al)VANTAGES OF A WAtOD SYSTEM As citizens vote only for candidates in their ward, the ballot is shorter and simpler. The voter is more likely to have personal knowledge about the candidate seeking office and thereby wiI1 more likely make an intelligent choice. Insofar as wards have special interests, these will be represented. Insofar as wards contain distinct social, ethnic, and economic groups, the council wilI be a better cross-section of the population. If a minority group is concentrated in one geographical area, the ward system will assist in securing representation on the council. The campaign costs to a council candidate are lower. -,- :E-le~t/~rds-t-e~r-tract mor~ cand-i~lates-t~mmrrfor office.- Each geographical area of the city will be assured some representation. Councilmembers will be able to have closer conta6t with their constituents and be more responsive to their needs. Councilmembers elected by wards will be more accountable' to the people who elected them.