WRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. — Update, Aug. 5: On Monday, Aug. 5 Wrightsville Borough council members voted four to two to preliminarily abolish its ward system.
The borough is currently broken up into three electoral districts, each represented by two council members. One board member told FOX43 that because one district has more voters than the other two, changes needed to be made.
Some officials in the borough say abolishing the old system would be beneficial while some residents say it would be better to have a voice in the issue.
The board is planning to hold another meeting in September to receive more feedback from the community before moving on with the proposed changes.
Previously: Big changes could soon be coming to the Wrightsville Borough in York County, as council members prepare to vote on abolishing its ward system Monday night.
The borough is currently broken up into three electoral districts, each one represented by two council members.
However, council member Eric White argues that the current ward map is not compliant with current state laws.
“We don’t have a choice; we must do something," explained White.
Under the current system, Wrightsville Wards 1-2 have roughly the same number of voters at 425 and 445, respectively.
However, Ward 3 has 567 voters in its boundary.
White cited the PA Borough Council Handbook, which states borough councils must redistrict their wards within the year after the official reporting of the Federal census. However, he argues that the cost of redrawing the districts would be too expensive for Wrightsville.
“The cost, if we could find a consultant for it, would begin in the $25,000 range.”
Under state law, the Wrightsville Borough will need to add a 7th council member if they abolish the ward system. White believes this will help bring more representation for borough residents.
“That’s more voices, more opinions and more information [which] is always better when we’re trying to do something," said White.
But, the upcoming vote has drawn the ire of several Wrightsville Borough residents. Melodie McDonald, who lives in Wrightsville's 1st Ward, is one of several people going door-to-door handing out petitions against the measure.
She argues it should be Wrightsville voters to make the decision on its ward system.
“The whole thing is wrong; we’ve had these wards forever," said McDonald. "It really should be put on the ballot so that the people can decide.”
Critics of the measure believe lifting the ward boundaries would cause too many council members to represent certain parts of Wrightsville. Others say the ordinance would cut down the number of polling locations in Wrightsville from three to one.
“On the presidential election, many people come out to vote," said resident Darvin Shelly. "They’re going to have an hour wait or even longer, and I just can’t believe the people of Wrightsville will want to do that.”