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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunset Beach | Town | 3,572 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 93 SL 1965, c. 362 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Summerfield | Town | 10,232 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 426 GS 160A-101 | |
Sugar Mountain | Village | 198 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395 | |
Stovall | Town | 418 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 596 SL 2001-100 | |
Stonewall | Town | 281 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 385 | |
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. |
Stokesdale | Town | 5,047 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | 1989, c. 488 GS 160A-101 | |
Stem | Town | 463 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 183 | |
Stedman | Town | 1,028 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 67 SL 1953, c. 409 | |
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. |
Star | Town | 876 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 448 SL 2017-12 | Star municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 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 | |
Stanfield | Town | 1,486 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 485 SL 2015-253 | Stanfield municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Stallings | Town | 13,831 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 758 GS 160A-101 | |
Staley | Town | 393 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 386 GS 163-279 | |
St. James | Town | 3,165 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1999-241 GS 160A-101 | |
Spruce Pine | Town | 2,175 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 335 SL 1995(96), c. 663 GS 160A-101 | |
Spring Lake | Town | 11,964 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 742 GS 160A-101 | |
Spring Hope | Town | 1,320 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 207 SL 1973, c. 40 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1889, c. 55 | |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101 | |
Spencer Mountain | Town | 37 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 473 | Although the Spencer Mountain charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Spencer | City | 3,267 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 37 PL 1939, c. 222 SL 1951, c. 325 SL 1957, c. 870 GS 160A-101, | |
Speed | Town | 80 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 169 SL 1957, c. 279 | |
Sparta | Town | 1,770 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Mun. Bd. Control 1924 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
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 | |
Southern Pines | Town | 12,334 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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. |
Sims | Town | 282 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 58 SL 1953, c. 292 | |
Simpson | Village | 416 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101 | |
Siler City | Town | 7,887 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1887, c. 88 SL 1989, c. 16 | Five commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Shelby | City | 20,323 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | PL1939, c. 252 SL 1961, c. 416, 509 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
Sharpsburg | Town | 2,024 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1957, c. 393 Pr. 1913, c. 452 GS 163-290 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
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. |
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. |
Seven Springs | Town | 110 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 21 | |
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. |
Selma | Town | 6,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 934 | |
Sedalia | Town | 623 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-444 | |
Seagrove | Town | 228 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 270 | |
Seaboard | Town | 632 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pub. 1877, c. 208 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 | |
Scotland Neck | Town | 2,059 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 342 PL 1941, c. 106 SL 1951, c. 667 SL 1957, c. 267 SL 1973, c. 382 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who acts as clerk and also supervises all departments. |
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. |
Saratoga | Town | 408 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 462 SL 1977, c. 479 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
Sandyfield | Town | 447 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 729 | |
Sandy Creek | Town | 260 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1007 | |
Saluda | City | 713 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1933, c. 123 | The board of commissioners employs a city administrator to supervise all departments. |
Salisbury | City | 33,662 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 205 | |
Salemburg | Town | 435 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 104 SL 1993(94), c. 703 | |
Saint Pauls | Town | 2,035 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 874 SL 1993, c. 158 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Saint Helena | Village | 389 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 942 GS 160A-101 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Rutherford College | Town | 1,341 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 452 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Ruth | Town | 440 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 2 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1939, c. 53 | |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 GS 160A-101 | |
Roxobel | Town | 240 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 439 | |
Roxboro | City | 8,362 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1997-282 | |
Rowland | Town | 1,037 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1998-105 SL 2000-45 | |
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 | |
Roseboro | Town | 1,191 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 279 SL 1995, c. 18 | |
Rose Hill | Town | 1,626 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 67 SL 1969, c. 330 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Roper | Town | 611 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 24 GS 160A-101 SL 2008-104 | Although the Roper charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Ronda | Town | 417 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101 S.C. 2019-27 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Elections are held in even-numbered years. (S.L. 2019-73) |
Rolesville | Town | 3,786 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 PL 1941, c. 84 SL 1977, c. 346 | |
Rocky Mount | City | 57,477 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Majority | SL 2003-327 | |
Rockwell | Town | 2,108 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 17 SL 1967, c. 37 GS 163-279 | |
Rockingham | City | 9,558 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1974, c. 1265 SL 1995(96), c. 698 SL 2001-68 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. |
Robersonville | Town | 1,488 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 59 SL 1951, c. 48 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from two-member districts, and one is elected at large. |
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. |
Robbins | Town | 1,097 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101 | |
Roanoke Rapids | City | 15,754 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 34 | |
River Bend | Town | 3,119 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1981 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 |