Durham City Council is considering several changes to its election schedule, including moving council elections to even-numbered years, creating a "true" ward system, extending the mayor's term to four years, and eliminating the primary in favor of a single nonpartisan general election. These changes could significantly reduce administrative costs and electoral exhaustion. The city of Durham is responsible for reimbursing the county to administer the primary and general elections for mayor and council in odd years, which have increased costs from $374,000 in 2017 to over $800,000 by 2023 and 2025. Three of the seven seats on the Durham City Council are currently ward seats, with only residents of a ward voting on their councilmember. Critics argue that the ward system gives voters a false sense of representation and could create more local representatives who care more about specific issues like zoning districts.