In Arkansas, we used to call our city council members Aldermen. The term comes from old English and dates back to the twelfth century. In 2017 though, Arkansas stopped using this word. The legislature passed a law replacing “aldermen” with “council members.” So now, instead of saying our cities and towns have an "aldermanic" government system we say they have a “mayor-council” system.
The change was sponsored by state Republican Rep. Roger D. Lynch, who wanted the state to use more “modern” terminology.
It meant about 400 towns or cities had to change their city documents, new business cards were needed, new websites, and fresh election paperwork.
Right now, Arkansas has thousands of council members, because we have plenty of cities and towns. In Arkansas, a town is under 500 people. Towns have 5 council members. Cities have over 500 people in the population. They have at least six council members depending on their size.
From Little Rock, I am Politics and Government Reporter Josie Lenora, This has been a Arkansas Civic Minute.