10.1. SR 08-03-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LMC 14amw 4.b&coo" womoav "MLW2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Reorganizing the City into Wards These are the standard arguments for both propositions. For the Ward System ❑ As citizens vote only for candidates in their ward, the ballot is shorter and simpler. ❑ Voters are more likely to have direct, personal knowledge about the qualities of those who seek to represent them, and thereby will make a more intelligent choice. ❑ After the election, the council member will keep in closer touch with his or her constituents. ❑ Insofar as wards have special interests, these will be represented. ❑ Insofar as wards contain distinct social, ethnic, and economic groups, the council will be a better cross-section of the population. ❑ If a minority is concentrated in one geographical area, the ward system increases its chance of securing some representation on the council. ❑ The campaign costs to a council candidate are lower. ❑ Election by wards tend to attract more candidates to run for office. ❑ Each geographical area of the city will be assured some representation. ❑ Council members will be able to have closer contact with their constituents and be more responsive to their needs. ❑ Council members elected by wards will be more accountable to the people who elected them. Disadvantages of a Ward System ❑ Ward boundaries don't necessarily delineate homogeneous areas. Therefore, may not be a ward interest that would justify separate representation. ❑ Voters in one ward may find there is no candidate in the ward they can wholeheartedly support, and that there is a candidate in another ward who would more fully represent their views. The ward system prevents these voters from fully exercising their freedom of choice. ❑ In some wards there may be difficulty in finding qualified candidates who are willing to run for office so that the voters' range of choice is restricted, and the quality of the council may be lowered. ❑ Wards encourage a spirit of localism since the basis of selection tends to be service to the ward, not to the city. ❑ Wards may foster a divisive competition for scarce resources. ❑ Politically active or special interest groups may be overrepresented by targeting certain wards. ❑ Once established, ward boundaries are difficult to change. Redistricting may be expensive. ❑ Election will be more expensive as more polling places and election judges will be needed. It may be more difficult for the voter to find the correct polling place.