All, I understand municipalities are statutorily required to review wards and ward boundaries as soon as practicable following each federal census. See 11 O.S. § 20-101. I represent a municipality of roughly 3,100 citizens that has five wards. It is becoming increasingly difficult to fill those seats. For example, this year the city had 3 people run for one ward (based on geographic location) and no one run for another ward. Despite having wards, the elections are voted at-large, and some Councilmembers have questioned why we have wards at all. Do any of you have experience in doing away with wards? In researching this question, I'm worried about 11 O.S. § 2-105, which requires municipalities seeking to incorporate to identify the number of wards, based on the form of government. This municipality is a home-rule charter that functions as a council-manager form of government. The charter requires five Councilmembers, but does not require five wards. Rather, the wards are set by ordinance. If the wards cannot be removed, would it be possible to have two wards with the other three Council seats at-large? I'd appreciate any thoughts, guidance, or pointers on this question! Thanks, Krystina E. Phillips Indian & Environmental Law Group, PLLC 117 S. Ash Street Ada, OK 74820 krystina@iaelaw.com (580) 453-7051 (918) 948-6190 (fax) NOTICE: This email (including attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender if you have received the message in error, then delete it.