Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd, thinks the election process in Kelowna needs to change before voters go to the polls again in 2011.

Only 20 per cent of the electorate bothered to cast ballots in the Kelowna election. That compares with 31 per cent who voted in 2005.

Three years ago, Shepherd unseated three-term incumbent mayor, Walter Gray.

"I'm very discouraged at the turnout. What we've been doing is not working," says Shepherd.

"I would like to have a dialogue with my new council about possibly adopting a hybrid ward system."

Shepherd's plan would see the city split into four identified areas of wards, with one councilor elected from each ward.

"The other four councillors would be elected at large and the mayor would be elected at large."

She says this would give ward candidates a chance to get better known in their individual areas.