Voters to Determine How City Government Functions

Columbia, S.C.  (WOLO)  —  Registered voters in the City of Columbia could change the way government functions, as they head to the polls in a special election on whether to embrace the ‘strong mayor’ form of government.

In a final push to try and sway voters to say ‘yes’ to a strong mayor form of government, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin brought out who many would call the ‘big guns’ to help champion his cause.  One of them was former South Carolina democratic governor, Jim Hodges.  Current republican governor, Nikki Haley, also released a statement urging voters to vote in favor of the strong mayor form of government.

Those who oppose the measure say transferring authority from a city manager and council to an elected mayor is a recipe for disaster and could lead to corruption.  They say a politician should not run city government and power should remain in the hands of residents and city leaders elected to represent them.  If a strong mayor form of government is chosen, it will be the first time such a change has occurred since the early 1950’s.

Polls open at 7am and close at 7pm.