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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graham | City | 14,153 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101 | |
Sanford | City | 28,094 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Partisan | SL 1967, c. 650 SL 1997-245 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2013-220 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
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 | |
Fayetteville | City | 200,564 | Council Manager | Council Members | 9 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Primary | SL 1979, c. 557, 794 GS 160A-101 | |
Apex | Town | 37,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 356 GS 160A-101 | |
Durham | City | 228,330 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 671 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected from residence districts, and three are elected at large. |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101 | |
North Wilkesboro | Town | 4,245 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 263 | |
Canton | Town | 4,227 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 90 Pr. 1911, c. 178 Pr. 1935, c. 119 GS 160A-101 | |
Beulaville | Town | 1,296 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 136 GS 160A-101 | |
Biltmore Forest | Town | 1,343 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 32 GS 160A-66 S.L. 2019-27 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all town departments. The jurisdiction holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (S.L. 2019-27) |
Fletcher | Town | 7,187 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1989, c. 44 GS 160A-101 | |
Stanley | Town | 3,556 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 233 GS 160A-101 | |
Mebane | City | 11,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 514 GS 160A-101 | |
Cape Carteret | Town | 1,917 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 727 SL 1963, c. 929 SL 1969, c. 284 GS 160A-101 | |
Granite Falls | Town | 4,722 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 382 | |
Sawmills | Town | 5,240 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1987, c. 648 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Lillington | Town | 3,194 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1903, c. 252 SL 1959, c. 901 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
Biscoe | Town | 1,700 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 24 SL 1963, c. 656 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Archdale | City | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 667 SL 2007-41 | Four council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. In addition, Archdale holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Holden Beach | Town | 575 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101 | |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 GS 160A-101 | |
Carolina Beach | Town | 5,706 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1973, c. 376 SL 1981, c. 842 | |
Granite Quarry | Town | 2,930 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-203 SL 2007-89 | |
Lincolnton | Town | 10,486 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Partisan | SL 1979, c. 341 SL 1981(82), c. 1134 SL 1983, c. 58 SL 2017, c. 62 | Lincolnton holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2017-62). |
Wendell | Town | 5,845 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 107 | |
Holly Ridge | Town | 1,268 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 87 GS 160A-101 | |
Black Mountain | Town | 7,848 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 747 SL 1969, c. 1034 GS 160A-101 SL 2019-27 | Elections are held in even numbered years (SL 2019-27) |
Asheboro | Town | 25,012 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1967, c. 481 SL 1989(90), c. 921 GS 160A-101 | |
East Laurinburg | Town | 0 | Council Manager | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 221 GS 160A-101 | The Town of East Laurinburg was dissolved effective June 30, 2022. |
Columbia | Town | 891 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 PL 1941, c. 423 | |
Holly Springs | Town | 24,661 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2003-73 | |
Statesville | City | 24,532 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 1977, c. 289 SL 1985, c. 570 GS 160A-101 | Six council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Oak Island | Town | 6,783 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-66 GS 160A-101 SL 2003-84 | |
Carrboro | Town | 19,582 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 476 | |
Asheville | City | 83,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 30 SL 1969, c. 165 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1931, c. 121 SL 2018-123 | Asheville holds municipal elections in even-numbered years (SL 2018-123). One council member is at-large; the remaining five members are elected from districts. (SL 2018-123) |
Princeville | Town | 2,082 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 688 GS 160A-101 | |
Columbus | Town | 999 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1985, c. 46 | Three council members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest vote receives a four-year term; the next two finishers receive two-year terms. |
Oak Ridge | Town | 6,185 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-113 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Carthage | Town | 2,205 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-239 | Although the town chater, SL 1999-239, styles the town governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. |
Blowing Rock | Town | 1,241 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 419 GS 160A-101 | |
West Jefferson | Town | 1,299 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 326 | Although the West Jefferson charter states that the town operates under the mayor-council form of government, the town actually operates under the council-manager form. |
Eastover | Town | 3,628 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-267 | |
Hope Mills | Town | 15,176 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 650 SL 2016-66 | |
Midland | Town | 3,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-91 GS 160A-101 | |
Cary | Town | 135,234 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Majority | SL 2005-117 | Four council members are elected from districts and two 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. |
Selma | Town | 6,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 934 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
Eden | City | 15,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 967 SL 1969, c. 781 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
Raeford | City | 4,611 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 371 GS 160A-101 | |
Concord | City | 79,066 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 861 GS 160A-101 | Six council members are elected from residence districts, and one is elected at large. |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
Atlantic Beach | Town | 1,495 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1937, c. 433 GS 160A-101 | Although the town charter refers to the governing board as the board of commissioners, in fact the town refers to it as the town council. |
Edenton | Town | 5,004 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985(86), c. 815 | Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
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 | |
Mills River | Town | 6,802 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-242 | Three council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. |
Grifton | Town | 2,617 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 480 GS 160A-101 | |
Lowell | City | 3,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 111 | |
Boiling Spring Lakes | City | 5,372 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1977, c. 62 | |
Elizabeth City | City | 18,683 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Majority | SL 2001-227 | |
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 | |
Boiling Springs | Town | 4,647 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 349 GS 160A-101 | |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101 | |
Kitty Hawk | Town | 3,272 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 206 GS 160A-101 | |
Elizabethtown | Town | 3,583 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1895, c. 156 SL 2004-34 | |
Randleman | City | 4,113 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S/2 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1905, c. 209 SL 1959, c. 701 | Four aldermen are elected from residence districts and serve four-year staggered terms. One is elected at large and serves a two-year term. |
Conover | City | 8,165 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 78 GS 160A-101 |