Raleigh election date change official: Without Governor Roy Cooper’s signature, the bill that includes moving back Raleigh’s city elections becomes law, the News & Observer reports.
The election was originally scheduled for Oct. 5, 2021.
Changing the election date stems from delayed 2020 Census data, which is needed to redraw districts. Raleigh elects a mayor and two at-large members citywide, but five council members represent districts.
Why Gov. Cooper didn’t sign the bill: In a statement, Gov. Cooper said “While delays to census data caused by the pandemic necessitate changes to local elections, decisions about local elections like these should involve more open discussion and public input and therefore these changes will become law without my signature.”
What he’s referring to: It echoes concerns by Wake County representatives in the state Senate, who voted against Senate Bill 722 because the Raleigh City Council voted to change the date in closed session, with no discussion open to the public.
As INDY Week reported, the city’s attorney defended the decision. Each city council member’s stance was clarified later in public.
What the changes include:
▪️ Raleigh’s city elections will now be on even-numbered years.
▪️ The method of the election will change to the plurality method, which no longer allows for the second-place vote getter to ask for a runoff if the first place vote getter didn’t receive a majority of the votes.
▪️ The election date will be Nov. 8, 2022.
What else do you want to know about the changes? Email editor@raleighconvergence.com.
