Even-Year Municipal Elections

At a glance

What: whether Apex should ask the General Assembly to move municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. It has been among the Town's legislative priorities for two years (see Legislative Priorities and Government Relations).
Where it stands: on May 28, 2026 Council unanimously (4-0, Gray absent) adopted a resolution (RES-2026-047) expressing interest in exploring alignment with even-year state and federal elections and encouraging other Wake County municipalities to consider it. It does not change any election.
Next: Town Clerk Coleman will send the resolution to other Wake County clerks and survey their interest; a report returns to Council before anything is filed at the legislature. Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey said 2026 is too late, so the earliest change would be next year.

Olivia McCall, Director of the Wake County Board of Elections, said the change requires an act of the General Assembly, that a little over 70 municipalities hold even-year elections, and that turnout was higher in even years.
Board of Elections Secretary Jerry Cohen said four municipalities held even-year elections in 2010 and 75 do now, with 12 pending in the legislature this year. Two methods have been used: a one-time one-year extension of terms, or a one-time three-year term instead of four (which means paying for elections in back-to-back years).
Costs: Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey said Apex paid about $200,000 for its 2023 election, about $150,000 after Cary's 2025 changes, and might pay about $80,000 in an even-year scenario. McCall said Raleigh saw about a 61% cost decrease; towns that stay in odd years pay more because advertising is shared across fewer towns. Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey also cited fewer days of facility use.
McCall suggested starting from Session Law 2021-56 (Senate Bill 722), where Raleigh began. She noted residents still call asking why there is no odd-year ballot, and asked for the Town's help with outreach.
Mayor Gilbert asked whether local candidates could be listed above partisan candidates; McCall said ballot order is set by law.

Mayor Pro Tem Mahaffey moved the resolution (second by Mu), citing budget savings of close to six figures, higher turnout and facility use. Mu stressed it is not a decision. Reese asked about any problems Raleigh faced and whether the resolution should say it is not for this year. Zegerman asked about best practices and the filing timeline.

Presentation by the Wake County Board of Elections; resolution adopted 4-0.