Raleigh City Council considers doubling term length, creating additional council seats

Raleigh City Council is considering major changes that will impact when and how you vote for city leaders – by potentially doubling the amount of time members of council spend in office.

This is the second major change to elections council could make in less than three years.

There are three big changes to know about

1. Council is looking at increasing the mayor and council members' terms from two years to four years, and switching to non-partisan primary elections
2. Elections would be staggered. That means you’d vote for the mayor, and three council members in one election. Then in the next election, you’d vote for the other four councilors.
3. Council is looking at adding more members, bringing the total number of council members, including the mayor, up to 11. These new members would represent new districts in the city.

These changes aren't final.

Raleigh City Council is holding a public hearing Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Even if council does decide to move forward with these changes, voters would still have the final say, as these changes would require a referendum on the ballot in November.