City of Lethbridge to explore “precinct” electoral model, not creating ward commission

The Precinct Proposal

He then proposed a different system, called a “precinct model,” that he feels would accomplish many of the same objectives at a lower price tag.

“At the end of the day, it’s to provide for better responsiveness by council members. Well, we can achieve that through this precinct model,” says Middleton-Hope.

Council decided to direct the Governance Standing Policy Committee (SPC) to report back to council on an examination of a precinct model by the second quarter in 2023 in another 7-2 vote.

Middleton-Hope’s proposal would see Lethbridge divided into four precincts. As shown in the map below, one precinct would encompass the entire west side of the city, one would include all of the north side, and the south side would be split into two zones.

“We tried to divide the areas up based on population, based on identified commercial or activities within each one of those areas to provide each council member that is representing a particular area has a number of areas that they become responsible for,” says Middleton-Hope.

A map showing the proposed electoral boundaries of a potential precinct model in Lethbridge, December 13, 2022. (Image: City of Lethbridge)

City councillors would be elected to serve the city at large, but would be assigned to each precinct on rotating basis, changing precincts every six months to one year.

From the councillors’ perspective, according to Middleton-Hope, “This allows us to meet with citizens across the city, and not all councillors do that during their tenure. This actually provides a mechanism to ensure that we do that.”

Opposition

One of the members of city council that voted against exploring a precinct model was Jenn Schmidt-Rempel.

She pointed to the referendum question that was included on ballots in the City of Lethbridge 2021 municipal election.

It asked residents, “Do you support using a ward system to elect City Councillors (other than the Mayor) starting with the 2025 municipal election?”

A total of 26,236 voters answered the referendum question, 55.69% of whom said yes.

Schmidt-Rempel says the creation of a commission to examine a potential ward system was important in upholding the City of Lethbridge’s democratic values.

“The ward commission allowed for a group of citizens to come together to engage in that process and engage our community in that process,” says Schmidt-Rempel. “We don’t often get an opportunity to engage the community to that extent with how they elect their elected officials. We do lose that. We’re now, as council, telling our voters how they’re going to vote.”

Councillor Belinda Crowson adds that it is disrespectful for city council to ask voters what they would like council to do, only to later turn around and go in a different direction.

This matter will, however, go back to the city’s Governance SPC for further review, at which time, members of the public will be able to weigh in the potential precinct model.

Increasing Required Signatures and Deposits

The final motion made by Lethbridge City Council in regards to elections had to do with how candidates get on the list in the first place.

In the 2021 municipal election, a total of 33 people ran for eight seats on city council while six vied to become mayor.

Councillor Nick Paladino says this resulted in a significant amount of time and resources being used to review all of the candidates’ information, a large number of campaign signs being posted around the city, and it becoming difficult to hold candidates forums.

In response to these difficulties, council voted unanimously to increase the number of required signatures for city council candidates from five to 25. Those seeking to run for mayor would need 50 signatures.

Council also approved the creation of monetary deposits that would accompany a candidate’s registration forms.

People running for city council would have to pay a $100 deposit and mayoral candidates would have to put $250 down.

Councillor Jeff Carlson said he was concerned about potentially disenfranchising lower-income candidates who might not be able to pay.

This decision will also go back to the city’s Governance SPC for further review.

The City of Lethbridge website contains the full agenda items for the precinct model and the changes to signatures and deposits.

by David Opinko

City of Lethbridge to explore “precinct” electoral model, not creating ward commission

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