PENSACOLA - History could soon be made in Pensacola.

The way the city is run is at stake.

The ballots were mailed out Wednesday morning. Soon, voters in Pensacola will be asked whether to change the city's charter.

Channel Three's Dan Thomas joins us now with more on what the issue is.

The biggest difference in question here is deciding who is in charge.

A "no" vote would keep the current system, where the unelected city manager runs the day-to-day business of the city at the direction of the council.

A "yes" vote would switch the city's charter, so that a publicly-elected "strong" mayor would run things.

It's that aspect that people who oppose the charter are hoping the public dislikes.

The next time you go through your mail, if you live in Pensacola, chances are you'll find one of these.

A "yes" vote would re-write the city's charter, making it the first revision in over 70 years.

A "no" vote keeps the current system.

No matter how you vote, you'll still have a city council member representing your district as well as two city council members elected city-wide, but that's where the similarities end.

The new charter would double term lengths for the mayor and council members to 4 years, but limit them to 3 terms.

Right now, there are no term limits.

Also, the council would become more of a legislative body.

The mayor would be more like the president: he wouldn't vote, but would run day-to-day operations.

Chuck Presti/Favors New Charter: "I think it's someone we can look to, who hopefully has a good vision and goal and we can all share in that."

Chuck Presti supports the new charter.

He was motivated by what he sees as a current system where nothing gets done.

Chuck Presti/Favors New Charter: "They all kind of blame each other and they're looking to each other for I think a leader. And we don't really have a leader."

Charles Fairchild/Opposes New Charter: "Even though it's cumbersome...government should be cumbersome. When you have quick decisions, bad things happen."

Charles Fairchild has kicked in 3 thousand dollars to defeat the new charter, buying most of the "No Boss Mayor" signs.

Charles Fairchild/Opposes New Charter: "With a strong mayor, boss mayor council, I don't have a shot. I don't have any money. I have no power. So with no money and no power, you're not going to influence the strong mayor. There's just no way. But with a council, with 10 people, I'll find somebody on there that will be sympathetic to my cause."

Right now, it looks like those in favor of the new charter are winning the fund-raising race with about 23 thousand dollars.

Those opposed have raised about 6 thousand.

The soonest anyone could see a ballot in their mailboxes will be Thursday.

We should know the results in about 3 weeks.

You can find more information on the election, as well as a sample ballot, by logging onto WEARtv.com and clicking on "News Links."Pensacola Citizens Choose Sides In Charter Referendum