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LOC.~L GO¥~ERNN~E~r STRUCTURE mVO ORGAASZA%2. ON <br />PAGE 17 <br /> <br />WARDS <br /> <br />The consolidation commission is required to consider whether a ward System shall be <br />included in the form of government of the proposed consolidated commi.'xee. The wird <br />system is a method of election in which the city is divided into districts, theoretically of <br />equal population. Minn. Stat. § 414.04I, sub& 5 pro,aides tha~ the Municipal Board may <br />in its order establish a wa.rd system in the new city. If war~ are established, not less than <br />three nor more than seven wards, shaU be established. Each ward' shall elect one coUncil <br />member. If more than two years have elapsed after consolidation, the city council may, <br />by a four-fifr, h vote, abolish the ward system. <br /> <br />ADVANTAGES OF A WAPJD SYSTEM <br /> <br />As citizens vote only for candidates in their ward, the ballot is shorter and simpler. <br /> <br />The Voter is more likely to have personal knowledge about the ·candidate seeking <br />office and thereby w/il more likely make an intelligent choice. <br /> <br />Insofar as wards have special interests, these will be represented. Insofar as wards <br />contain distinct social, ethrfic, and economic groups, the council will be a better <br />cross-sec~n of the population. <br /> <br />If a minority group is concentrated in one geographical area, the ward system will <br />assist in securing representation on the council. <br /> <br />The campaign costs to a coup:il candidate are lower. <br /> <br />Elc~'z--r-i~rd~--tend-te-ar-trac-.t more can~iaie-s-te-m-n~r office.- <br /> <br />Each geographical area of the city will be assured some representation. <br /> <br />Councilmembers will be able to have closer conta& with their constiruen~ and be <br />more responsive to their needs. <br /> <br />Councilmembers elected by wards will be more accountable' to the people who <br />elected r. hem. <br /> <br /> <br />