Who you vote for in Raleigh’s city elections might be changing
In local elections, Raleigh residents vote for a mayor, two at-large City Council members and a third member based on where they live.
But that district representative could change for some voters, based on new maps the city is reviewing.
Raleigh has five districts. They must be roughly equal in population, and the lines get redrawn every 10 years after the U.S. Census.
City staff members have created three new maps that balance the five districts by moving some voting precincts to other areas. Raleigh is holding a series of public meetings to get community input on the maps.
▪ Map 1: This map changes things the least to get the districts into population compliance but doesn’t necessarily take future growth and annexations into account. It moves precinct 1-46, the neighborhoods near Green Road Community Center, from District B to A. And moves precinct 2-04, the neighborhoods south of Falls Lake and west of Falls of Neuse Road, from District A to District B.
▪ Map 2: This map keeps the changes from Map 1 and also moves several more precincts. Some northeast neighborhoods are moved from District C to District B. District B would also get more neighborhoods north of Interstate 540 and would lose the Brentwood neighborhood to District A. District C would gain more neighborhoods between Capital Boulevard and New Hope Road, and District E would gain some neighborhoods north of Wade Avenue.
▪ Map 3: This map builds off the two previous maps and results in District D losing some neighborhoods near Umstead to District E. District E would also lose some inside-the-beltline neighborhoods to District A.
In a presentation to the City Council, Ken Bowers, deputy planning and development director, said the maps do not substantively change the racial demographics of the districts.
You can see in-depth versions and comparisons of the maps at raleighnc.gov. (Search “redistricting.”) The website includes an interactive map that lets you type in your address to see how your precinct might change.
More than just maps
Griselda Alonso attended a public input meeting last week, the first meeting she’s attended that had a Spanish interpreter, she said. People in the Hispanic community need this type of information because it affects their lives, she said.
Carol Love attended a public input meeting and said she’s in favor of the second map because it seems to be the most balanced.
The meetings are also asking whether the city should pay council members more money or move them from two-year to four-year terms.
A council-appointed study group made recommendations for city elections that included paying the council members and mayor more; moving to staggered, four-year terms; and adding a ninth member to the board to avoid deadlocks.
More than 800 people have already filled out a survey with feedback on those recommendations.
Ways to provide feedback
You can give feedback through Jan. 12. The study group is expected to make its final recommendations in January and present them in February.
Here’s how you can weigh in:
▪ Visit engage.raleighnc.gov to take a survey on the proposed changes to council terms and compensation.
▪ Email councilstudygroup@raleighnc.gov.
▪ Attend a public listening session:
- 6 p.m. Dec. 15 Green Road Community Center, 4201 Green Road
- 2 p.m. Dec. 16, virtual meeting of the study group
- 6 p.m. Jan. 5, location to be determined.
- 6 p.m. Jan. 10, virtual meeting of the study group
