HomeMy WebLinkAboutKeith Ward Issue Communication
Charter Review Committee
Council Wards
Date: November 26, 2004
Sub Committee Members: Hal Cloer, Michael Riedeman, Keith Massie
Issue Statement:
Should City Councilors be elected by Wards?
Pros and Cons:
PROS
1.Representative government
2.Ward elections can ensure more minority representation
3.Ward elections can ensure neighborhood concerns are heard
4.
CONS
1.Not as relevant an issue for smaller cities
2.Difficulty in determining the boundaries of wards
3.
Budget Implications:
Small increase in cost of election as ballots will need to be customized by Ashland Ward.
Background:
A ward is a division of a city or town, especially an electoral district, for administrative and
representative purposes.
Summary:
1.When is the last time a resident of Ashland has raised the issue of electing City
Councilors by Wards?
2.Cities with under, say, 20,000 population should tread carefully when considering wards.
Small city responses didn’t strongly endorse wards. Also, there’s no evidence that ward
issues are generally important or that wards improve political participation, as far as
ousting incumbents or having competitive races.
Ward Electoral Systems in Oregon Cities
By John Rehfuss (John Rehfuss is a retired College Professor of Public Management.)
September 2003
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Attachments:
# of
City Population Councilors/Ward Total Councilors
Wards
Albany 42,280 3 2 6
Astoria 9,790 4 1 4
Baker City 9,840 7 1** 7
1 per ward; 2
Central Point 14,120 4 6
councilors elected at
large**
Corvallis 52,450 9 1 9
1 per ward; 2
Cottage Grove 8,730 4 councilors elected at 6
large**
Eugene 142,380 8 1 8
Grants Pass 23,870 4 2 8
1 per ward; 4
Hermiston 13,560 4 4
councilors elected at
large
Hillsboro 74,840 3 2 6
Klamath Falls 19,680 5 1 5
Lebanon 13,110 3 2 6
Lincoln City 7,420 3 2 6
McMinnville 28,200 3 2 6
Medford 66,090 4 2 8
Milton-
6,450 5 1 5
Freewater
Newberg 18,750 6 1** 6
Pendleton 16,600 3 2 6
Roseburg 20,170 4 2 8
Springfield 53,140 6 1** 6
Salem 141,150 8 1 8
Tillamook 4,340 6 1 6
Woodburn 20,860 6 1 6
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