Local Politics

Raleigh City Council votes to double length of terms in 2026

The Raleigh City Council voted to change council member terms from two years to four years, with staggered terms starting in 2026.

Posted 2024-05-07T20:49:52+00:00 - Updated 2024-05-07T21:31:06+00:00

WRAL Staff

Raleigh City Council members are set to have four-year, staggered terms starting in 2026.

On Tuesday, the city council voted 5-2 in favor of the change.

District A City Council Member Mary Black and District B City Council Member Megan Patton voted against the measure. They said they wanted voters to decide how to change city council elections.

Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor Pro Tem Jonthan Melton, Stormie Forte, Corey Branch and Jane Harrison voted in favor of it.

Christina Jones did not attend Tuesday's meeting, so she did not vote on the measure.

The change will not be a referendum on the ballot in 2024. However, if there is a petition with 5,000 signatures from Raleigh residents, it would force the city council to put the four-year term on the November ballot for a referendum.

On Tuesday, the city council voted to table a proposal to add three city council seats.