Mayoral Term Limits

Not every city in the United States imposes a term limit on its mayor, but many cities do. Imposing mayoral term limits is becoming increasingly popular among voters in the U.S. in 2010.

Identification

Mayoral term limits have been enacted in eight of the ten most-populated cities in the United States, including New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. A 1995 study found that voters chose to limit the terms of city officials around 70 percent of the time, according to Danielle Fabre, the former research director for the U.S. Term Limits Foundation.

Pros

Those in favor of mayoral term limits say that the limits eliminate "career politicians" and create more opportunities for others to serve in public office. Term limits are also seen as a way to reduce the influence of lobbyists, as they allow a mayor to focus on running the city without worrying about raising funds for an upcoming reelection campaign.

Cons

Some people argue that mayoral term limits will result in the unnecessary loss of experienced leaders. They also feel that term limits conflict with the will of the people, since a city should be able to keep a mayor that is doing a good job.

References

• Naples News: Naples Mayor Makes Case Against Term Limit
• City Mayors' Government: Arguments for and Against Term Limits
• U.S. Term Limits: City Term Limits

Resources

• The New York Times: Council Votes, 29-22, to Extend Term Limits