Fargo says 'no' to wards

FARGO — Fargo voted against switching to a ward system, according to unofficial results from a special election. The measure that proposed changing city governance failed Tuesday, Oct. 6, the city said in a news release. The measure needed a simple majority to pass. Of the 10,888 ballots counted, 56% of voters rejected the measure, according to unofficial results announced at 11:18 p.m. Tuesday. The results will be reviewed and certified by a canvassing board on Oct. 19. The vote means Fargo will keep its City Commission format. The entire city elects four city commissioners and a mayor, also known as at-large voting. Had the measure passed, Fargo would have been split into six wards, with each district electing one council member each. The city as a whole still would have elected its mayor, but the mayor would only vote to break a tie during council meetings under the ward system. The measure proposed giving the mayor veto power over the council's decisions, a