Here’s a look at how Akron’s council terms and election cycles compare to several other big Ohio cities.
AKRON: 13 council members (three at-large and 10 ward). Ward council members serve two-year terms, while at-large members and mayor serve four-year terms. Cycles are staggered, with ward council members and the mayor running in one election and ward and at-large members running two years later. (This permits an at-large council member to run for mayor from a protected seat.)
CANTON: 13 council members (nine ward, three at-large and one president). Council members serve two-year terms, while mayor has a four-year term. Mayor and council elections are in the same year.
CINCINNATI: Nine at-large council members. Council members serve two-year terms, while the mayor serves a four-year term. Mayor and council elections are in the same year.
CLEVELAND: 19 ward council members. Council members and the mayor serve four-year terms and are up for election at the same time. Council will drop to 17 members in next year’s election because of a new measure that ties the number of council members to the population of the city.
YOUNGSTOWN: Eight council members (seven ward and one president). Council members and mayor serve four-year terms. Cycles are staggered, with ward council members running in one election, and the mayor and council president running two years later.