ST. GEORGE — A citizens' initiative to change the way City Council members are elected goes before St. George voters on Election Day.

Proponents of the initiative say the current system of voting for five at-large council seats dilutes the contact residents have with those they elect.

Opponents argue the change would simply cause division and carve up a city that has always worked as one.

"Why would I want to give up four votes for council in favor of having just one vote?" asked Doug Alder during a debate on the issue Wednesday sponsored by the St. George Chamber of Commerce. "Every council member should be accountable to city residents. It's not wise to take away rights and district the city."

But many say the idea has considerable merit.

"Districting promotes a more direct conduit to issues only," said Garry Bedingfield, who ran unsuccessfully for a spot on the St. George council several years ago and spoke in favor of the initiative at the meeting. "Opponents of the initiative would have you believe council members would only represent their district, and that's not true. I would rather vote for quality than quantity."

David Muir, a former mayor of Murray, said that city's form of government changed midstream during his eight years in office to a district council system.

"There was bickering oftentimes between council members while I was there," said Muir, who also voiced opposition to the initiative on Wednesday. "I'm a constituent of all five council members here in St. George. That would be severely restricted under this initiative."

Under the Citizens City Initiative No. 1, St. George would be divided into five districts with a council member representing each district for four years. Voters would vote for a candidate within their district only.

Currently, St. George council members serve at large for two years, with two seats coming up for election this year.

"I have contacted council members in northern Utah cities that use districting and asked them about it," said Jerry Campbell, who spoke in favor of the initiative during the chamber meeting. "They all said it was an effective form of government."

Alder, a historian and former president of Dixie College, said St. George residents have always worked together for the common good and should not be segregated.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," he quipped.

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