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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
Belhaven | Town | 1,688 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 714 | Although the town charter as enacted in SL 1969, c. 714, styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town itself actually styles it as the town council. |
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 | |
Swansboro | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 207 GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 561 SL 1955, c. 443 | |
Momeyer | Town | 224 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 242 SL 1995, c. 212 | |
Webster | Town | 363 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 423 SL 1957, c. 60 SL 1977, c. 171 | Although the Webster town charter styles the governing board as the board of aldermen, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. |
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. |
Patterson Springs | Town | 622 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 129 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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. |
Maggie Valley | Town | 1,150 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1337 SL 1995(96), c. 558 GS 160A-101 | |
Mount Olive | Town | 4,589 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 476 Pr. 1905, c. 201 SL 1979(80),c.1303 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from districts and one is elected at large. |
Rosman | Town | 576 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 172 Pr. 1905, c. 105 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279 | |
Lake Santeetlah | Town | 45 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1012 GS 160A-101 | The mayor is elected by and from the board for a two-year term but serves at the board\'s pleasure and may be removed at any time during the term. |
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. |
Gatesville | Town | 321 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 2009-465 Pr. 1923, c. 88 SL 2009-17 | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Conetoe | Town | 294 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1887, c. 154 SL 1957, c. 278 SL 1959, c. 63 | |
Swepsonville | Town | 1,154 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1997-448 | |
Sylva | Town | 2,588 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 72 SL 1957, c. 27 SL 1961, c. 31 SL 2000-30 | |
Montreat | Town | 723 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 295 SL 1998-38 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Beginning with 2015 election, Mayor term is four years. |
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. |
Ahoskie | Town | 5,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 609 GS 160A-101 SL 2009-31 | Four council members are elected from districts and one is elected at large. |
Peachland | Town | 437 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2003-328 | |
Snow Hill | Town | 1,595 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 58 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Magnolia | Town | 939 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 174 SL 1963, c. 82 | |
Mount Pleasant | Town | 1,652 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 77 Pr. 1931, c. 148 | |
Hertford | Town | 2,143 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 586 | |
Rowland | Town | 1,037 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-105 SL 2000-45 | |
Lake Waccamaw | Town | 1,480 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 14 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Gibson | Town | 540 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 163 SL 2005-61 | Although the legislative acts cited style the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Connelly Springs | Town | 1,669 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37 | |
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. |
Rennert | Town | 383 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 300 SL 2001-3 | Although the Rennert town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the 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 | |
Mooresboro | Town | 311 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 113 SL 1977(78), c. 1209 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Weldon | Town | 1,655 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 83 SL 1965, c. 131 GS 160A-101 | |
Peletier | Town | 644 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Although the town charter styles the governing board as the council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. | |
Kingstown | Town | 681 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1989, c. 632 | |
Southern Pines | Town | 12,334 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101 | |
Maiden | Town | 3,310 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 103 PL 1939, c. 350 SL 1955, c. 445 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons with the highest vote totals receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. |
Murfreesboro | Town | 2,835 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 445 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Landis | Town | 3,109 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 213 SL 1987, c. 13 SL 2003-126 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employ a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Gibsonville | Town | 6,410 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 392 | |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Rhodhiss | Town | 1,070 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1961, c. 471 SL 1985, c. 94 | |
Rich Square | Town | 958 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1883, c. 128 GS 160A-66 | |
Tar Heel | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 763 | |
Mooresville | Town | 32,711 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 239 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Wendell | Town | 5,845 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 107 | |
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. |
Pembroke | Town | 2,973 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 171 SL 1974, c. 1289 GS 160A-66, -101 GS 163-279 SL 1961, c. 97 | |
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 | |
Manteo | Town | 1,434 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 66 Pr. 1907, c. 198 SL 1993, c. 108 GS 160A-101 | |
Murphy | Town | 1,627 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 261 GS 160A-101 | |
Roxobel | Town | 240 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 439 | |
Lansing | Town | 158 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control | |
Elk Park | Town | 452 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 248 Pr. 1889, c. 256 | Although the original charter of the town, Pr. 1889, c. 256, and the 1951 act amending the charter, both styled the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
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. |
Glen Alpine | Town | 1,517 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 61 SL 1989, c. 131 | |
Conway | Town | 836 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 161 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
Richfield | Town | 613 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1066 SL 1961, c. 527 GS 163-279 SL 2015-253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Richfield municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Tarboro | Town | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 73 | |
Morehead City | Town | 8,661 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 879 GS 160A-101 | |
Wentworth | Town | 2,807 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-322 | |
Alliance | Town | 776 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 760 | |
Pikeville | Town | 678 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 108 SL 1977, c. 20 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Marietta | Town | 175 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 111 | |
Nags Head | Town | 2,757 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 808 SL 1963, c. 148 SL 1969, c. 62 GS 160A-101 | |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101 | |
Lasker | Town | 122 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 281 PL 1939, c. 48 | |
Elkin | Town | 4,001 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 740 SL 2014-35 | Elkin holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Calabash | Town | 1,786 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-16 SL 1973, c. 391 SL 1989, c. 593 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |