The petition seeking to extend Albert Lea’s mayoral terms from two years to four years began circulating Thursday after some final revisions.

Petitioners have until May to gather signatures from at least 5 percent of the registered Albert Lea voters during the last state election who are in favor of amending the City Charter to allow four-year terms for mayors.

People who sign the petition must be registered voters in the city with a valid address and phone number.

If enough signatures are gathered, the charter amendment will be brought before all voters during the general election in November 2012.

If the issue passes, the change would go into effect for mayors elected after Nov. 1, 2014.

The following five people have been listed as circulators of the petition: Neil Lang, Randy Erdman, Anthony Trow, Tom Staker and George Marin.

Trow said the petitioners will find a way to get the word out to as many people as possible and may attend events like the farmers market and other venues to seek signatures.

He noted getting out in the community will give the promoters a chance to “test the waters” and see what kind of support they have for the change.

They plan to obtain more than the necessary signatures in case there are any problems with the verifications of the people who sign.

Proponents of the amendment say the change would remove the distraction of too frequent of re-election campaigns and provide greater continuity for the Albert Lea City Council and effective leadership for the community.

“All of the other communities around us of similar size have already gone to a four-year term,” Trow said.

Opponents say it would take away the more frequent opportunity of the people to vote for change if they don’t like the direction the city is moving.