WEST PALM BEACH — Chances that term-limited Mayor Lois Frankel can run for a third term in 2011 took a hit today.

City Commissioners Jeri Muoio and Kimberly Mitchell now say they oppose putting a question on the November ballot asking voters if they want to extend the mayoral limits from two terms to three. Muoio and Mitchell had been sympathetic to putting the question before voters on the general election ballot.

With Commissioner Molly Douglas also opposed, that means at least three of five commissioners are against setting a referendum on extending term limits for the mayor. If voters don’t approve a change to the city charter, Frankel can’t seek a third term in March.

Both Douglas and Muoio have opened campaigns for mayor, but there was speculation Muoio would step aside if Frankel were a candidate. Mitchell is also the subject of frequent mayoral speculation.

If commissioners don’t put a question on the ballot, supporters can force a referendum by collecting about 5,800 signatures. But a petition drive launched last month appears to be short of the goal, and county Elections Supervisor Susan Bucher has said she needs to have signatures verified and language approved by Aug. 20.

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A telephone poll conducted by the Police Benevolent Association this week asks respondents about declared 2011 West Palm Beach mayoral candidates Jeri Muoio and Molly Douglas and undeclared-but-considering-it candidate Kimberly Mitchell.

There’s also a favorable/unfavorable question about former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, who’s name has been floated as a potential mayoral candidate.

But the survey questions that have tongues wagging concern term-limited state Rep. Mary Brandenburg, a former city commissioner who’s running for Palm Beach County commission this year and says she’s not interested in a mayoral campaign.

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