Frequently Asked Questions About Ward Systems

How would the City Council change?
The City Council currently has five members, all elected at-large. If the referendum question passes, the council would expand to nine members and six wards would be created. Each ward would elect one council representative. The remaining three seats would be elected at-large, meaning those council members would represent the entire city.

If the question passes, when would the new ward system take effect?

If it passes, elections for the new council would take place in November 2010. If the referendum fails, nothing would change. Council members Blanquita Valenti and Joseph Egan would be up for re-election, as would Mayor Jim Cahill.

Who would draw the six wards?

A five-member ward commission, comprised of two Democratic and two Republican members of the Middlesex County Board of Elections and City Clerk Daniel Torrisi would have 35 days to draw the wards, if the question passes.

What would happen to the current council members and mayor?

The terms of all five council members and Mayor Jim Cahill would automatically end Dec. 31, 2010 if the referendum question passes. An election for the nine new council seats and the mayor's seat would be held in November 2010. The candidates for that election would be chosen in a June 2010 primary.