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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Walstonburg | Town | 219 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 45 | |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Fremont | Town | 1,255 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Plurality | SL 2009-292 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
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. |
Woodland | Town | 809 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 136 GS 163-279 | |
McFarlan | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 102 PL 1947, c. 771 | Although the legislation cited above 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 | |
Warrenton | Town | 862 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 201 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Lilesville | Town | 536 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 764 | |
Old Fort | Town | 908 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 271 | |
Jefferson | Town | 1,611 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 552 GS 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. |
Harrellsville | Town | 106 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1955, c. 92 PL 1983, c. 138 | Although the legislative acts cited above style the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 GS 160A-101 | |
Fuquay-Varina | Town | 17,937 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 167 SL 1959, c. 774 | |
Wrightsville Beach | Town | 2,477 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 611 | |
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. |
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. |
Ramseur | Town | 1,692 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | Pr. 1895, c. 308 SL 1957, c. 108 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Connelly Springs | Town | 1,669 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37 | |
Warsaw | Town | 3,054 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 972 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1885, c. 91 | |
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 | |
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. |
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 | |
Jonesville | Town | 2,285 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-16 SL 2017-56 | Jonesville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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. |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 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 | |
Gamewell | Town | 4,051 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 31 | Although the town charter, SL 1981, c. 31, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
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 | |
Yadkinville | Town | 2,959 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 10 SL 1979, c. 280 GS 160A-101 | The town has adopted the council-manager system by ordinance. |
Salemburg | Town | 435 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 104 SL 1993(94), c. 703 | |
Mesic | Town | 220 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 626 GS 160A-101 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
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). |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Orrum | Town | 91 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1983(84), c. 993 SL 2017-58 | |
Topsail Beach | Town | 368 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, cc. 67, 284 SL 1977, c. 272 SL 1989, c. 153 | |
Hassell | Town | 84 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1903, c. 96 SL 1965, c. 279 | |
Spring Lake | Town | 11,964 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 742 GS 160A-101 | |
Garland | Town | 625 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 393 | |
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. |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
Micro | Town | 441 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 762 | |
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. |
Ranlo | Town | 3,434 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 776 | |
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. |
Washington Park | Town | 451 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1949, c. 48 | |
Linden | Town | 130 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 398 SL 2001-472 | |
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. |
Ossipee | Town | 543 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-137. | |
Kelford | Town | 251 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 163 GS 160A-101 | |
Trent Woods | Town | 4,155 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 718 GS 163-279 | |
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. |
Havelock | Town | 20,735 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 952 SL 1977, c. 152 SL 1995(96), c. 619 SL 1999-126 GS 160A-66 | |
Haw River | Town | 2,298 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 234 SL 1973(74), c. 895 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 | |
Garner | Town | 25,745 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 333 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Youngsville | Town | 1,157 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | PL 1874-75, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Middleburg | Town | 133 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | ||
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. |
Raynham | Town | 72 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 388 SL 1977, c. 16 GS 160A-101 SL 2017, c. 58 | |
Cooleemee | Town | 960 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 424 | |
Watha | Town | 190 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 158 SL 1989(90), c. 884 SL 2005-141 | |
Littleton | Town | 674 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-20 | |
Bermuda Run | Town | 1,725 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1999-94 GS 160A-101 | |
Kenansville | Town | 855 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 1194 | |
Trenton | Town | 287 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 174 SL 1949, c. 879 |