election3MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Minot voters have overwhelmingly approved major changes to the makeup of the City Council in North Dakota’s fourth-largest city.

Nearly three-fourths of voters in Tuesday’s election favored reducing the council’s size from 14 members elected from wards to six members elected at large, plus a voting mayor. The change will take effect a year from now.

Proponents say the change will ensure competitive races and force council members to look more broadly at city issues. Proponents gained a second victory Tuesday when group spokesman Shaun Sipma was elected to the council.

Opposition group spokeswoman Lianne Zeltinger said she’s disappointed other options for changes to the council won’t be considered now.