Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
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Name | Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Springs | Town | 560 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 210 GS 163-279 | |
Ocean Isle Beach | Town | 550 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1959, c. 887 SL 1965, c. 756 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Greenville | City | 84,554 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 272 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts and one at large. |
Weaverville | Town | 3,120 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101 | |
Sims | Town | 282 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 58 SL 1953, c. 292 | |
Elm City | Town | 1,298 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 152 | |
Creedmoor | City | 4,124 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101 | |
Raleigh | City | 403,892 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Majority | SL 1949, c. 1184 SL 1957, c. 121 SL 1973, c. 319 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Hudson | Town | 3,776 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 239 SL 1967, c. 322 GS 160A-101 | |
Love Valley | Town | 90 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Smithfield | Town | 10,966 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 827 SL 1989, c. 203 Pr. 1933, c. 36, 61 SL 1959, c. 56 | Three council members are elected from districts, and four are elected at large. |
Burlington | City | 49,963 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4 | Primary | SL 1961, c. 119 GS 160A-101 SL 2014-74 | |
Belville | Town | 1,936 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 84 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Huntersville | Town | 46,773 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Oriental | Town | 900 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 4 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1899, c. 184 SL 1991(92), c. 878 | |
Grimesland | Town | 441 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 222 SL 1957, c. 1153 | |
Weddington | Town | 9,459 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 256 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Forest Hills | Village | 365 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-345 | |
Kittrell | Town | 467 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1885, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
Rowland | Town | 1,037 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-105 SL 2000-45 | |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101 | |
Indian Beach | Town | 112 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 513 GS 160A-101 | |
Mineral Springs | Town | 2,639 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-175 | |
Alamance | Village | 951 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 840 | |
Cerro Gordo | Town | 207 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 1044 | Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 1044, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Tabor City | Town | 2,511 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 40 Pr. 1935, c. 18 SL 1957, c 255 GS 160A-101 | |
Southern Pines | Town | 12,334 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101 | |
Fountain | Town | 427 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1923, c. 259 PL 1951, c. 724 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Roxboro | City | 8,362 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1997-282 | |
Roxobel | Town | 240 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 439 | |
Benson | Town | 3,311 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-91 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected from districts, and three are elected at large. In the election of at large members, each voter may only vote for one candidate. |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Ranlo | Town | 3,434 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 776 | |
Minnesott Beach | Town | 440 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 890 | |
Albemarle | Town | 15,903 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 259 SL 1987(88), c. 881 GS 160A-101 SL 2015-253 | Four council members are elected from districts and three are elected at large. Albemarle holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Tar Heel | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 763 | |
Ossipee | Town | 543 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-137. | |
Halifax | Town | 234 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. Act 1786, c. 35 | |
Southern Shores | Town | 2,714 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1979, c. 203 | |
Danbury | Town | 189 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 169 GS 160A-101 | |
Mint Hill | Town | 22,722 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 73 GS 160A-101 | |
Alliance | Town | 776 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 760 | |
Chapel Hill | Town | 57,233 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 473 SL 1981, c. 911 GS 160A-101 | |
Oxford | City | 8,461 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 971 | |
Hamilton | Town | 408 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1945, c. 302 | |
Wentworth | Town | 2,807 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-322 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
Kure Beach | Town | 2,012 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 906 SL 1975, c. 484 GS 160A-101 | |
Ruth | Town | 440 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 2 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1939, c. 53 | |
Everetts | Town | 164 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 321 SL 1979, c. 82 | |
Bessemer City | City | 5,340 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 1018 | |
Davidson | Town | 10,944 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1879, c. 32 SL 1957, c. 36 | |
Misenheimer | Village | 728 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-268 SL 2004-19. SL 2015-253 | Misenheimer municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Charlotte | City | 731,424 | Council Manager | Council Members | 11 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Partisan | SL 2000-26 | Seven council members are elected from districts and four are elected at large. |
Pantego | Town | 179 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1881, c. 93 | |
Hamlet | Town | 6,495 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 506 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
Macclesfield | Town | 471 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 1124 GS 160A-101 | |
Wesley Chapel | Village | 7,463 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-43 | The town board employs an administrator to supervise town operations. |
Franklin | Town | 3,845 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 26 Pr. 1935, c. 5 GS 160A-66, -101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Calypso | Town | 538 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 264 | |
Jamestown | Town | 3,382 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 370 | |
Cherryville | City | 5,760 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 581 | |
Parkton | Town | 436 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1945, c. 803 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Harmony | Town | 531 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Macon | Town | 119 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1905, c. 246 | |
Speed | Town | 80 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279 | |
Lake Lure | Town | 1,192 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 194 | |
Bethel | Town | 1,577 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 609 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1873-74, c. 20 | |
Red Springs | Town | 3,428 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 1252 SL 1951, c. 344 SL 1957, c. 457 SL 1969, c. 212 | |
Jamesville | Town | 491 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 232 GS 160A-101 | |
Teachey | Town | 376 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who also acts as clerk. |
Harrells | Town | 202 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 466 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of alderman. |
Madison | Town | 2,246 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 289 SL 2004-54 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 |