The At Large System versus the Ward System for selecting Town Councilpersons

Transcription

1 The At Large System versus the Ward System for selecting Town Councilpersons Blooming Grove s Citizens Committee Perry Ragusa Chairperson Bonnie Rum Sue Anne Vogelsberg Ruth Manyin John Finneran Kevin Radday Brandon Nielsen Nancy Calhoun June 7, 2016

2 Agenda At Large versus Ward System Definitions Why a Ward System for Blooming Grove? Why Consider 6 Wards? Ward System Pros. At Large Suggested Pros. What people say who have the Ward System. (Survey Results) Frequently asked questions. The Law, Process, Implementation and Timeline. Other References

3 At Large vs. Ward System At Large Elections At Large means that the entire population of the town votes to fill all four town council members seats. Council members are responsible to represent the needs and wishes of all of the people in the entire town. (Comparable to the U.S. Senate) Ward Elections Ward System means that the population area being governed is broken up into equal parts, called wards each having approximately the same population (Based on U.S. Census). Each Council member must reside in the ward and will be elected by the residents of that ward. Council members will be advocates for the ward in which they live but represent all the residents in the town on the majority of the issues. (Comparable to the U.S. House of Representatives and NYS Assembly). In both the Ward or At Large systems of town government, the Town Supervisor is elected At Large by all voters in the town.

4 Why a Ward System for Blooming Grove Shall the Ward System be established for the election of council members in Town of Blooming Grove? The Ward System of town government is extremely well suited to improve the representation of all residents in the governing of the town. 1. The Town of Blooming Grove is over 35.3 sq. miles and has two villages, two hamlets and a large population that lives in the unincorporated part of the town. These entities have different needs and interests. Having a representative who actually lives in your area would be a benefit to the residents. 2. The Town of Blooming Grove is concerned with protecting their current environment and the rural nature of our town. Having a representative who actually lives in your area would be a benefit to the residents. 3. The land area of Blooming Grove is larger than most other towns with larger populations and the costs and time necessary to even run for the town board can make it prohibitive to the vast majority of the residents in the town. This could leave those who run highly dependent on and beholden to special interest groups.

5 Why Consider 6 Wards? Shall the number of council members of the Town of Blooming Grove be increased from four to six? In both the Ward and At-Large systems of town government, the Town Supervisor is elected At Large by all voters in the town: By increasing the number of council members from 4 to 6, the power of the Town Supervisor is reduced from 1/5th to 1/7th, leaving more of the decision making power with the council members that represent their particular ward.

6 Ward System Pros Breaks down the voting districts into smaller units. Makes it easier for local residents to run for office: o Only need to campaign in their own neighborhood/ward. o More likely to be known by their neighbors. o Decreases the expense of campaigning. Council members can better represent the specific needs and interests of their constituents since they reside in the area they represent. Allows for diverse opinions from all areas of the town to be considered. Reduces the possibility of special interest groups and large campaign contributors influencing town government. Greater accountability to the residents of each ward.

7 Ward System Cons A ward representative can be overly focused on their own ward without considering the welfare of the entire town. Ward systems with 6 members will have more cost in salaries and benefits than those with 4 members. After each federal U.S Census the Town must review and redraw its district boundaries to ensure equal representation. This process will be paid for by the taxpayers and is an expense that is not normally incurred in an At Large System on a decennial (i.e. every 10 years) bases.

8 At Large Pros A council member elected by an At Large system is responsible to represent all of the residents in the town. This is true for Ward Systems also. Governing boards elected at large may be perceived to be more fiscally prudent than those elected by wards. There is no data to support this.

9 At Large Cons Multiple representatives can be elected from the same geographical area in the town. Some parts of the town can be left unrepresented while having pressing needs. Difficult for the At Large council members to be fully aware of and respond to issues across the entire town. Greater potential for special interest groups and large campaign contributors influencing town government.

10 Interview Questions for our Survey Why and when did you go to the Ward System? What are the issues that you have found with the Ward System? Would you change to an at large system if you could? No! Have there been any issues with finding qualified candidates? No! What were the benefits of the Ward System? Must the Ward System have all candidates elected at the same time? Have you noticed any increase or reduction in voter turnout? No! Was the change a citizen or board driven change? Unknown! Did you hire a consultant to work with you to form the Ward System?

11 What people who have the Ward System Say Towns contacted: Beacon (Dutchess County) Population: 15,628, 4 wards, 2 at large council members, a Mayor Camillus: (Onondaga County) Population: 28,176, 34.5 sq miles, includes 3 hamlets and 1 village. 6 wards, 1 supervisor Clarkstown (Rockland County) Population: 87,059, 46.9 sq. miles, includes 3 hamlets 4 wards, 1 supervisor Hyde Park (Dutchess County) Population: 21,571, 39.8 Sq. miles and Includes 3 hamlets 4 wards, 1 supervisor New Hartford (Oneida County) Population: 22,150, 25.5 Sq. miles and Includes 2 hamlets and 2 village 4 wards, 1 supervisor

12 What people who have the Ward System Say (Continued.) Towns contacted: North Hempstead (Nassau County) Population: 226,332, 69.1 Sq. miles and Includes 30 hamlets and 20 villages 6 wards, 1 supervisor Queensbury (Warren County) Population: 27,901, 64.8 Sq. miles and includes 38 hamlets and 22 villages 4 wards, 1 supervisor Salinas (Onondaga County) Population: 33,000, 15.1 Sq. miles and Includes 4 hamlets and part of 1 village 4 wards, 1 supervisor Wallkill (Orange County) Population: 28,176, 62.8 sq. miles, encircles Middletown, includes 3 hamlets and 1 village 4 wards, 1 supervisor Wappinger's (Dutchess County) Population: 27,000, 28.6 sq. miles, includes 13 hamlets 4 wards, 1 supervisor

13 Why and when did you go to Ward System? 1. Beacon: Changed to a ward system in A bipartisan group of elected members of the city council initiated the change themselves to serve the constituents better. 2. Camillus: Has been in place for about 50 years. Did not know why it was changed. 3. Clarkstown: Voted in and to be implemented in Hyde Park: It was done in the It was done where portions of town did not feel represented. 5. New Hartford: Has been in place since Town Clerk did not know why they went to a Ward System. 6. North Hempstead: Became a Ward System more than 15 years ago, reason unknown. 7. Queensbury: Residents petition the town to go to a Ward System in Residents in unheard of districts felt left out. 8. Salinas: Always had a Ward System. 9. Wallkill: In the 1960's. This was done because of their large geographical area each with diverse concerns. It was felt that this would give better representation for specific interests, prevent the loss of a voice, and allow one person can to become an area expert. 10. Wappinger: Has been in place for 45 years. No idea why they went to a Ward System.

14 What are the issues that you have found with the Ward System? 1. Beacon: No reponse. 2. Camillus: Sometimes council members becomes focused on ward issues. 3. Clarkstown: Not applicable. 4. Hyde Park: They do not like the 2 year terms for the entire board. They would like to have a staggered board. 5. New Hartford: None. 6. North Hempstead: None. 7. Queensbury: None 8. Salinas: None. 9. Wallkill: None. 10. Wappinger: None.

15 Would you change to an At Large System if you could? 1. Beacon: No response. 2. Camillus: No. 2. Clarkstown: Not applicable. 3. Salinas: Ward System is working well. 4. Hartford: No. 5. North Hempstead: No. 6. Queensbury: Ward System is working well and residents are happy. 7. Hyde Park: No, the board and public likes the ward system because they feel more responsible. 8. Wallkill: Never 9. Wappinger: No.

16 Have there been any issues with finding qualified candidates? 1. Beacon: The city has never experienced a shortage of qualified candidates. 2. Camillus: No. Supervisor has been in office for 18 years. 3. Clarkstown: No, very active political parties. 4. Hyde Park: No. They run as team so it has not been a problem. 5. New Hartford: Unknown. 6. North Hempstead: No. 7. Queensbury: No. 8. Salinas: Supervisor has run unopposed for 5 terms. 9. Wallkill: No. 10. Wappinger: No.

17 What were the benefits of the Ward System? (Continued ) 1. Beacon: No response. 2. Camillus: (Similar size Blooming Grove) Individualized representation Council persons are easy to get to and to encouraged to represent their local issues by constituents. Balanced representation across the town where everyone has a voice through their council member. 3. Clarkstown: Not applicable to be implemented in Hyde Park: (Similar size to Blooming Grove) The residents have contact with someone who lives in the neighbor and gives them a direct line of communications. It also give you another person besides the Town Supervisor for the residents to go to if you have a problem.

18 What were the benefits of the Ward System? (Continued ) 5. New Hartford: (Similar size to Blooming Grove) Town clerk says the Ward System works well. There is good voter turnout; It is less expensive for candidates to run for office because they have a smaller area to cover; The electors tend to know their Council member since they live in the ward they represent. The council members have more time to spend with their constituents since they have a smaller area to cover. There is more communication and greater responsiveness with the Ward System. 6. North Hempstead: Supervisor finds the Ward System has better representation of constituents, Council members are responsible for a smaller number of constituents and have a more personal relationship with their constituents. 7. Queensbury: There is better representation for all districts. Previously all sections of the town were not well represented. People now more easily contact "their" representative directly. There is greater familiarity and accountability.

19 What were the benefits of the Ward System? 8. Salinas: Supervisor finds the Ward System very effective; would not change it. It is much easier to campaign because it is very cost effective and less expensive to reach out to a smaller population. 9. Wallkill: Each region has a voice in town wide decisions including police, fiscal issues, and property issues. This prevents one area from dominating the Town Board and there is equal representation. 10. Wappinger: With a Ward System there is more oversight of each section of the town. Each council person can respond directly to the issues in his/her ward. This is better representation for the constituents and makes it easier to handle problems. Another benefit is the fact that every area of the town has someone with their interests at heart so no area is neglected. The ward representative lives in the section, knows the problems and can speak for the constituents. (Even if some sections of the town have more vocal or more involved people in it, there is always someone representing the less politically involved areas).

20 Does their Ward Systems have all officials elected at the same time? 1. Beacon: The mayor serves a four year term and the ward reps serve two year terms.. There is no staggering of terms so an entire city council can be changed in one election. 2. Camillus: Yes. All board members have a 2 year term. Tried to go to a 4 year term but it was rejected by the voters. 3. Clarkstown: Not implemented yet. 4. Hyde Park: Yes 5. New Hartford: Staggered terms, Town supervisor & two council members on odd numbered years and the other 2 two years later. All are elected for a 4 year term. 6. North Hempstead: Staggered elections Town supervisor & two council members on odd numbered years and the other 2 two years later. All are elected for a 4 year term. 7. Queensbury: Yes, Supervisor recommends that elections should be staggered. 8. Salinas: Yes 9. Wallkill: No, they can be staggered. 10. Wappinger: Yes

21 Have you noticed or documented any increase or reduction in turnout? 1. Beacon: No response 2. Camillus: No, actually depends on the issues at the time. 3. Clarkstown: Not implemented yet. 4. Hyde Park: We have always had a great turnout. 5. New Hartford: Good turn out. 6. North Hempstead: No response 7. Queensbury: No. 8. Salinas: Voter turnout remains Low, only about 25% turnout. 9. Wallkill: No. 10.Wappinger: No

22 Was the change a citizen or a board driven decision? 1. Beason: Unknown. 2. Camillus: Unknown. 3. Clarkstown: Citizen driven. 4. Hyde Park: Unknown 5. New Hartford: Unknown. 6. North Hempstead: Unknown. 7. Queensbury: Resident petitioned in 1981 and again in In 1985 the Ward System was approved. 8. Salinas: Unknown. 9. Wallkill: Unknown 10. Wappinger: Unknown.

23 Did you hire a consultant to work with you to form the Ward System? 1. Beacon: No response. 2. Camillus: Unknown. 3. Clarkstown: Plans on hiring a consultant. 4. Hyde Park: Unknown. 5. New Hartford: Unknown 6. North Hempstead: Unknown. 7. Queensbury: Town Board and Attorney drafted the Ward map. Also, had GIS Input from the county. Used lakes and landmarks or streets as ward boundaries versus property lines. 8. Salinas: Unknown 9. Wallkill: Unknown 10. Wappinger: Unknown

24 Frequently asked questions Where can I find the election details? o How would Blooming Grove be divided into Wards? o State Law requires that the local board of elections will take responsibility for this task. Whenever a proposition shall have been adopted in a town of the first class for the establishment of the Ward System and the election thereafter of one councilman from each ward, the board of elections of the county in which such town is situated shall divide the town into four wards and fix the boundaries thereof, unless a proposition shall have been adopted to increase the number of councilmen from four to six, in which instance, the board of elections shall divide the town into six wards and fix the boundaries thereof. (Town Law 85 [1] )

25 Frequently asked questions How would Blooming Grove be divided into Wards? o So far as possible the division shall be so made that the population in each ward shall be approximately equal (Town Law 85 [1] ). [Within 5%] o The Ward System is deemed established only upon the date the county board of elections duly files a map showing in detail the location of each ward and the boundaries thereof (Town Law 85 [1] ) o While it is legally the responsibility of the Board of Elections, the Town of Blooming Grove can pass a local law attempting to take this responsibility unto itself.

26 Frequently asked questions Will the Ward System increase the cost of government? o Depends: No, if we have 4 wards Yes, if we have 6 wards. The Town compensates each board member and increasing the number of board members will increase this amount by about $12,500 per new councilperson, or $25,000 total.

27 The Law, Process, Implementation and Timeline. What happens to the currently elected board members? The establishment of a ward system results in several significant changes to the Town Board. First, the terms of Town Board Members would change from four years to two years. Unless changed by a subsequently adopted local law, the terms of the two board members elected to four-year terms at the same election as the proposition to establish wards was approved, are now reduced to two years Second, the terms of Town Board Members are no longer staggered. That is, in subsequent Town elections, all four Board seats and the Supervisor will be placed on the ballot every two years. Third, since Board Members are elected by ward, a Town resident can vote for only one individual (from within their ward) to serve as a Town Board member. Last, a Town Board member must reside within the ward he or she represents in order to take the oath of office for that particular Town Board seat.

28 The Law, Process, Implementation and Timeline. What happens to the currently elected board members? New York law states that after a ward system is established, The term of office of every Town Board Member will end on December 31 next succeeding the first biennial Town election held not less than 120 days after the establishment of a ward system; and at such biennial Town election, and every biennial Town election thereafter, One resident elector will be elected from each ward for a term of two years beginning on January 1 next succeeding the election. Staggering terms: A local law can be passed by the town board to: o Create staggered terms o Modify terms from 2 to 4 years.

29 Ward System and At Large References NY Department of State Office of Legal Counsel: Wikipedia: Information for Town Officials Town of Bethlehem white page on going to Ward System: Town of Ramapo Code on Ward System: N.Y. TWN. LAW 81 : NY Code Section 81: Election upon proposition: A ward is a district within a town that elects its own Town Council member. At Large Elections in NYS Cities, Towns, Villages, and School Districts and the challenge of growing Population Diversity, Dr. Gerald Benjamin, SUNY New Paltz.

30 Blooming Grove Citizens Committee Website This website was created to provide the residents of Blooming Grove with a resource where they can find out about the At Large System versus Ward System for selecting council members. All the materials and questions and answers will be loaded to this site for you to read and review as we prepare to vote on the Ward System in November. If you have any question, go to Contact Us on the above website and submit your questions.

31 The End!