Lancaster voters approved the creation of a commission to study moving to a home rule charter government.The question on the ballot was:Home Rule Study: Shall a government study commission of nine members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter and, if advisable, to draft and recommend a home rule charter?Here are the results:Yes: 2,217No: 652100% reportingWhat is 'home rule?'According to the city of Lancaster website, The PA Department of Community and Economic Development summarizes "home rule" as:"The basic concept of Home Rule is relatively simple. The basic authority to act in municipal affairs is transferred from state law, as set forth by the General Assembly, to a local charter, adopted and amended by voters. But Home Rule does not set a municipality adrift from the rest of the state. It is subject to restrictions found in the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions and in state laws applicable to Home Rule municipalities. Local autonomy under Home Rule is a limited independence, but the thrust has been changed. Local governments without Home Rule can only act where specifically authorized by state law; Home Rule municipalities can act anywhere except where they are specifically limited by state law."Return to main results page.