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LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION <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 committee. The ward <br />system is a method of election in which the city is divided into districts, theoretically of <br />equal population. Minn. Stat. § 414.041, subd. 5 provides that the Municipal Board may <br />in its order establish a ward system in the new city. If wards are established, not less than <br />three nor more than seven wards, shall be established. Each ward shaI1 elect one council <br />member. If more than two years have elapsed after consolidation, the city council may, <br />by a four-fifth vote, abolish the ward system. <br /> <br />ADVANTAGES OF A WARD 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 wil! 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, ethnic, and economic groups, the council will be a better <br />cross-section 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 council candidate are lower. ~z~.- <br /> <br />Election by wards tend to attract more candidates to run for office. <br /> <br />Each geographical area of the city will be assured some representation./ <br /> <br />Counc~Imembers will be able to have closer contact with their constituents and be <br />more, responsive to the/r-ne',~ ~ ~ ~--~.~ <br /> <br />Councilmembcrs elected~y~w~ will be~g~~rabie <br />elec.ted'"'~em. ~ <br /> <br />-20- <br /> <br /> <br />