What the changes would be
The Corporation of Hamilton's recommendations for amending the law which governs the municipality include:
n Giving the vote in City elections to Bermudians and those with Bermudian status aged 18 and over living within the City's boundaries — a move likely to increase the electoral register by about 700 names.
n Giving proxy votes to all electors, other than nominees appointed to vote on behalf of an elector.
n Getting rid of the three aldermen and increasing the number of councillors from five to eight.
n Making the assent of a majority of councillors and the Mayor necessary for an act or resolution to be passed.
n Giving a "supermajority" of six or more councillors the power to override the Mayor's veto if he refuses to assent to an act or resolution.
n Making it mandatory for the Mayor to appoint a deputy and for a senior councillor to perform mayoral duties when the Mayor or his deputy are unable to.
n Paying the Mayor and councillors for their service.
n Holding separate municipal elections for the Mayor and councillor posts, staggered by one year, so that a councillor unsuccessful in his/her bid for higher office would not lose his seat as councillor.
n Holding elections to fill vacancies within 90 days.
n Making polling day not earlier than 14 days and not later than 17 days after nomination day.
