Something that is needed in Selma

For some time, I have felt that Selma needs to elect council members by district rather than at large. Unfortunately, the town charter reads:

Sec. 2.2. Council Members; Terms of Office.
Four (4) Council Members shall be elected at large by all the qualified voters of the Town for staggered terms of four (4) years or until their successors are elected and qualified.

It would literally take changing the town charter in order to change this. As it is, we have two voting districts. There is no representation on the council by residents of the west side of town.

Clayton is looking at this same issue. At least someone else sees the merit in this concept.



Clayton Residents Will Vote On District Council Elections In Non-Binding Poll - Clayton voters will cast ballots in November on a non-binding public opinion poll on whether the Clayton town council should elect members by district in the future. The issue was initially scheduled to go before Clayton residents last November, but the town failed to meet state guidelines to hold the referendum. The council was trying to avoid paying a $25,000 fee to design the districts before the vote last fall. Town officials regrouped and won approval from the state legislature to hold the non-binding vote at the polls this November. Many believe that if a majority of Clayton voters favor district elections, the council will eventually switch to district elections. Some feel district elections would give minorities more representation but other feels the current ‘at-large’ seats work better.