NC House passes bill pushing Raleigh elections to even years

Raleigh residents may have to wait a bit longer to vote in their city elections.

The state House voted unanimously Wednesday to support Senate Bill 722, which pushes 2021 municipal elections to 2022. The move sent the bill, which had been amended, back the Senate for approval.

The bill would move Raleigh's City Council elections from Oct. 5 of this year Nov. 8, 2022. The city would need to review and revise its electoral districts by March 22 of next year.

It also moved Raleigh City Council elections to even-numbered years in the future.

The bill comes as municipal leaders across the country wait for the data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which has been delayed.

Other cities and towns that need the census data to redraw their council districts would hold their elections in March, at the same time as the statewide primary.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections and the League of Municipalities both support the bill, Rep. Grey Mills, R-Iredell, said.