City Council broke their promise to you!

At their May 7 meeting, Council (except for Councilors Black and Patton who voted “no” and Councilor Jones who was absent) reneged on their PROMISE that they would put a proposal for four-year terms with a nonpartisan primary on the November ballot for the voters to decide. Instead, all on their own, they unilaterally approved staggered four-year terms with a primary beginning in 2026.

They took this action despite every public poll and meeting showing significant public opposition to four-year terms and assuring the public as recently as their April 2nd meeting that they would NOT do this on their own.

The full Council also reneged on adding more District seats.

The councilors arrogantly noted that if citizens didn’t like their backtracking on their commitment, they could “just go collect 5,000 signatures” on a petition within 30 days and force the council to keep their promise of placing the issue on the ballot as a referendum in November. 

Livable Raleigh has contacted the State Board of Elections and started the process of creating and filing the petition(s). We will publish that information as soon as possible. We will need everyone on board to help gather 5000 signatures in a limited time, so start thinking about who you know who would like to sign a petition. Petitions can only be signed by registered voters in the city of Raleigh.

Wait to hear more from us. We will have the correct petition forms and instructions for you to download, print and use to collect signatures.

Livable Raleigh Editorial Team