S897 Summary: Asheville City Council Districts

• Establishes six separate electoral districts for Asheville City Council members, with councilmembers elected from their respective districts rather than at-large

• Mayor continues to be nominated and elected at-large from the entire city

• Implements staggered four-year terms for council members beginning in 2019, with three seats expiring every two years after 2021

• Council members elected in 2017 shall serve two-year terms to facilitate transition to the new district-based system

• Prohibits changes to the city council structure prior to the 2020 Census and allows the city to continue annexation authority under existing law