Topeka ? Shawnee County residents begin voting this week on a proposal to consolidate county government with the city of Topeka.

More than 102,000 people will receive ballots by mail, county Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley said Monday. Her office mailed the ballots Saturday and must have them back by noon Dec. 15.

The proposal would create an elected, five-member commission to oversee the consolidated government, but its members would appoint an administrator to handle day-to-day operations. The county treasurer, clerk and the register of deeds would be appointed instead of elected starting in 2009, but the sheriff would still be elected.