What to know about Atlantic City change of government referendum

On March 31, registered voters will decide whether to change Atlantic City’s form of government. The yes-or-no ballot question will ask voters whether the city should adopt a council-manager form of government and discard the current mayor-council form.

A legal challenge to the petition that forced the special election is working its way through the court system and could negate the referendum. The complaint, filed on behalf of the Atlantic City Democratic Committee, alleged the petition was deficient, signatures were fraudulently obtained and the new form of government would violate the civil rights of residents.

A judge has set a hearing on the matter for March 9.

Below is a primer for voters to help understand the differences between the two forms of government and what is required for the change of government to happen.