Boston City Councilors Consider Doubling Term Lengths

The proposal requires approval from the state Legislature and the signature of Mayor Martin Walsh

City councilors in Boston are considering a proposal that would double the length of their terms to four years to place them on the same election cycle as the mayor.

The Boston Globe reports the initiative would eliminate city elections that only include councilors, which cost taxpayers roughly $1.6 million but typically feature a low voter turnout.

The proposal requires approval from the state Legislature and the signature of Mayor Martin Walsh, who declined to take a position on the measure Tuesday.

Walsh's hesitance to support the initiative coincides with many councilors stating that four-year terms would help put them more on equal footing with the mayor.

Councilor Frank Baker, who sponsored the measure, says councilors are constantly in a cycle of running for re-election with two-year terms.

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