Voters in Charlottetown will be asked if they want changes to the municipal electoral system this fall.
The proposals for a plebiscite were brought forward to council Monday night. It was for a two-part question on changing the way councillors are elected.
Mayor Clifford Lee voted to break a tie on wording of the question, meaning the plebiscite will be added to the ballot.
The first question will ask if people are in favour of changing the current system of electing councillors by wards. A second question will ask if residents want to elect all of the councillors at large, or have a mixed system including some at-large councillors, and others representing wards.
Mayor Lee told CBC News on Tuesday part of the reason he voted to push ahead with the plebiscite was economics. The cost adding the plebiscite question to the ballot will be around $10,000. It would be far more expensive if council was to decide to hold a plebiscite on the issue outside of an election.
Lee said there are are concerns councillors do not take a wide enough view of civic issues under the current system. In particular, some business leaders say the at-large system would force the civic politicians out of just lobbying for their neighbourhoods.
Civic elections in the province's four largest communities will be held on Nov. 1.
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