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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Greensboro | City | 269,666 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Primary | SL 1959, c. 1137 SL 1973, c. 213 GS 160A-101 | Five council members are elected from districts, and three are elected at large. |
Pine Level | Town | 1,700 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 425 SL 1957, c. 50 | |
Chimney Rock | Village | 113 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 444 | |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
Hot Springs | Town | 560 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 210 GS 163-279 | |
Stokesdale | Town | 5,047 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1989, c. 488 GS 160A-101 | |
Midway | Town | 4,679 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-37. | |
Fairmont | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL,1973, c. 288 GS 160A-101 | |
Seven Devils | Town | 192 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 205 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person finishing third receives a two-year term. |
Louisburg | Town | 3,359 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 1022 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Dillsboro | Town | 232 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 177 Pr. 1907, c. 274 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
Whitakers | Town | 744 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 996 SL 1979, c. 311 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Forest City | Town | 7,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 209 GS 160A-101 | |
Kinston | City | 21,677 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1987, c. 169 | |
Pinebluff | Town | 1,337 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 243 GS 160A-101 | |
China Grove | Town | 3,563 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-42 | Although the town charter, SL 2002-42, styles the governing board as the board of alderman, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
New London | Town | 600 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 91 SL 2001-131 SL 2015-253 | New London municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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 | |
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 | |
Stoneville | Town | 1,056 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 287 GS 160A-101 SL 2008-9 | The council employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Belmont | City | 10,076 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 22 Pr. 1935, c. 161 SL 1947, c. 125 SL 1969, c. 930 GS 160A-101 SC 2017, c. 48 | |
Fairview | Town | 3,324 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-428 | |
Grifton | Town | 2,617 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 480 GS 160A-101 | |
Seven Springs | Town | 110 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 21 | |
Love Valley | Town | 90 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Robbins | Town | 1,097 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101 | |
Aberdeen | Town | 6,350 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1975, c. 147 | The mayor term for the 2019 election will be 2 years. Beginning in 2021, the mayor will be elected for a term of 4 years. |
Dobbins Heights | Town | 866 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1983, c. 658 | |
White Lake | Town | 802 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-150 | |
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 | |
Pinehurst | Village | 13,124 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1980 GS 160A-101 | |
Chocowinity | Town | 820 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 343 SL 2004-12 | |
Vanceboro | Town | 1,005 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1929, c. 26 | |
Newland | Town | 698 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 222 Pr. 1913, c. 275 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Burnsville | Town | 1,693 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1922 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | Changed to council-manager form of government August 6, 2021. |
Huntersville | Town | 46,773 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Stonewall | Town | 281 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 385 | |
Milton | Town | 166 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 130 PL 1967, c. 207 | |
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. |
Faison | Town | 961 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 378 | |
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 | |
Severn | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1919, c. 39 SL 1953, c. 1176 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Lowell | City | 3,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 111 | |
Robbinsville | Town | 620 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 190 SL 1981, c. 194 | Although the Robbinsville charter styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Dobson | Town | 1,586 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 232 GS 160A-101 SL 2012, c. 47 | Dobson holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 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 | |
Kitty Hawk | Town | 3,272 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 206 GS 160A-101 | |
Pinetops | Town | 1,374 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1921, c. 64 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Claremont | Town | 1,352 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2005-54 SL 1961, c. 76 SL 1975, c. 97 GS 160A-101 | |
Vandemere | Town | 254 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 311 GS 163-279 | |
Newport | Town | 4,150 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1927, c. 225 SL 1969, c. 495 GS 160A-101 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
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 | |
Stovall | Town | 418 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 596 SL 2001-100 | |
Mineral Springs | Town | 2,639 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-175 | |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Faith | Town | 807 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 159 SL 1979(80), c. 1111 | |
Grover | Town | 708 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 812 GS 160A-101 | |
Shallotte | Town | 3,675 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 235 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Lucama | Town | 1,108 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 117 | |
Alamance | Village | 951 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 840 | |
Dortches | Town | 935 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1977, c. 358 | |
Dover | Town | 401 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 375 GS 163-290 | |
Whitsett | Town | 590 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 684 | |
Four Oaks | Town | 1,921 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 65 GS 160A-101 | |
Knightdale | Town | 11,401 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1927, c. 155 GS 160A-101 | |
Pineville | Town | 7,479 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 296 G.S. 160A-101 (2015) | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Clarkton | Town | 837 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 440 SL 1985, c. 36 | |
Varnamtown | Town | 541 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1003 | |
Newton | City | 12,968 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90). c. 1042 GS 160A-101 | |
Cajah\'s Mountain | Town | 2,823 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-99 | The charter does not specify if the chairperson serves for a term or at the pleasure of the council. The charter does not specify a form of government, but the town has always operated under the council-manager system. |