By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – East St. Louis voters will decide a city council race and a charter reform proposal Tuesday.
In the midst of a major federal corruption investigation, voters will decide whether to return to a strong mayor type of government, and whether to return two city councilmen to their seats.
One of those councilmen-Charles Powell Jr.-has been indicted on allegations of vote fraud.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville political science professor Andrew Theising says whatever voters decide, change won't be immediate for East St. Louis.
"It has basically been the same institution functioning there that's been functioning since 1865," Theising said. "And there has not been substantial replacement of the charter. The power relationships remain."
Mayor Carl Officer hopes voters will change the government to give him more power, and put two of his allies on the council.