The current City Council has six members which are elected by the whole city. This system doesn't reflect the diversity of Austin, seeing as how five of the current council members live downtown or in West or Central Austin (Austin American Statesman). With this lack of diversity the people have decided it is time for a change. 33,000 signatures were collected in order to get Proposition three on the ballot (The Daily Texan).
Proposition 3, commonly known as the 10 to 1 plan, calls for 10 single member districts with the mayor being elected by the city. These districts would be drawn by a 14 member council with no interference from the city council. This plan would require a large council, their staff, and the council to draw the districts which would cost approximately $5,622,000 according to Progress Texas. The City of Austin Council also put together a Proposition to reform the current Council in Proposition 4.
The 8 to 2 to 1 plan or Proposition 4 was put together by the City Council. They want 8 district representatives and 2 at large council members. The district lines would be drawn by City Ordinance (The Daily Texan). According to Progress Texas this plan would also cost $5,622,000. Both Propositions would call for a Mayor being elected at large.
In order to one of these propositions to come into effect they would need 50% of the vote, if they both get 50% then the one with the highest votes would win and if neither get 50% the system doesn't change.
While both of these Propositions have differences, they are both quite similar so much so that the conspiracy theorist it me is screaming. Prop 3 was initiated and written by the citizens. Prop 4 was initiated and written by the City Council. That in combination with the fact that a Proposition needs 50% to pass makes me think that the City initiated Prop 4 in hopes of splitting the vote so neither would be able to get 50% and therefore the system would stay the same with no change.
No comments:
Post a Comment