Washington, OCT 26, SPA -- Elections next month will ask American voters to decide whether Republicans should retain control of Congress, or Democrats should take over, but a number of communities throughout the country will also vote on a nonbinding question that calls for an immediate U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. In Massachusetts, 139 will vote on the question. Voters in several cities in Wisconsin and Illinois will also have the opportunity to vote in the largely symbolic measure. Those behind the initiative admit that the results are unlikely to turn around U.S. policy, but they said the outcome stands to illustrate to policymakers increasing anti-war sentiment. There s a gap between what the public wants and what public officials want, said Steve Burns of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice. They re not acting in our name. We hope, in time, we can bring them around. Those opposed to the initiative, including Wade Zerkle, executive director of a veteran s group, describe the referendums as a publicity stunt. I don t think a ballot referendum in some of the most liberal cities in America is going to hold much water, he said. Zerkle added that most Americans believe that leaving Iraq prematurely will create a terrorist haven. We re just hoping people will look into their hearts and say, What is going on here? said Paul Shannon of the American Friends Service Committee. Are we really willing to throw away more lives tomorrow? For what? In Wisconsin, 10 communities will vote on withdrawal. In April, 24 of 32 Wisconsin communities voted in favor of removing U.S. forces. In Illinois, the question will be considered in Chicago, as well as smaller cities, including Springfield and Urbana, and about a half-dozen towns. Berkeley, California, and two Wisconsin communities will also vote on whether President George W. Bush should be impeached. Organizers said the results of the referendums cannot be dismissed as simply liberal dissatisfaction with Republican policy. Burns said six Wisconsin communities that voted for withdrawal in April cast their ballots for Bush in 2004. In November, the question will be posed in both liberal communities, and places such as Chicopee, Massachusetts, home to the Westover Air Reserve Base.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/398203