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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lenoir | City | 18,228 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262 | |
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. |
Spring Lake | Town | 11,964 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 742 GS 160A-101 | |
Powellsville | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1919, c. 94 GS 163-290 | |
Bolivia | Town | 143 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1961, c. 366 | |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
High Shoals | City | 696 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 317 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Mayodan | Town | 2,478 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 501 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. |
Trenton | Town | 287 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 174 SL 1949, c. 879 | |
Godwin | Town | 139 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 397 SL 1947, c. 243 GS 163-279 SL 2009-5 | |
Cooleemee | Town | 960 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 424 | |
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 | |
Princeton | Town | 1,194 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-52 | |
Bolton | Town | 691 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 271 | |
Boone | Town | 17,122 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1931, c. 187 SL 1969, c. 905 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1907, c. 107 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the third-highest vote getter receives a two-year term. |
Sandy Creek | Town | 260 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1007 | |
Zebulon | Town | 4,433 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 386 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Highlands | Town | 924 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1991, c. 519 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Waxhaw | Town | 9,859 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1919, c. 57 PL 1941, c. 255 GS 160A-101 | |
Maysville | Town | 1,019 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1897, c. 171 GS 163-279 | |
Ellenboro | Town | 873 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-310 SL 1983, c. 425 | Although the town charter, SL 1983, c. 425, and SL 2007-310 each style the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Lewisville | Town | 12,639 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 116 | |
Cornelius | Town | 24,866 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 852 GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 288 | |
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 | |
Proctorville | Town | 117 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 306 GS 160A-101 PL 1913, c. 369 SL 2014 25 | |
Boonville | Town | 1,222 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c 363 SL 1981(82), c. 1143 SL 2017-56 | Boonville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Sandyfield | Town | 447 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993(94), c. 729 | |
Oakboro | Town | 1,859 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 51 SL 2015-253 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. Oakboro municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Bailey | Town | 569 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 184 | |
Hildebran | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 212 SL 1973, c. 433 SL 1993, c. 238 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Waynesville | Town | 9,869 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 126 | |
McAdenville | Town | 651 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Ellerbe | Town | 1,054 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 310 Pr. 1931, c. 24 | |
Troutman | Town | 2,383 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 144 | |
Goldston | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 108 SL 1957, c. 704 GS 160A-101 | |
Cove City | Town | 399 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 427 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
Staley | Town | 393 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 386 GS 163-279 | |
Raeford | City | 4,611 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 371 GS 160A-101 | |
Bostic | Town | 386 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1913, c. 263 | Although the town charter, Pr. 1913, c. 263, styles the town governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board 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. |
Bakersville | Town | 464 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 2 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 2014-56. SL 1955, c. 1291 SL 2005-43 SL 2014-56 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.Two board members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest number of votes receives a four-year term; the second-highest vote getter receives a two-year term. |
Hillsborough | Town | 6,087 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 351 GS 160A-101 | |
Weaverville | Town | 3,120 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101 | |
McDonald | Town | 113 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 2014-24 Pr. 1911, c. 443 GS 163-279 SL 2014-24 | |
Elm City | Town | 1,298 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 152 | |
Troy | Town | 3,189 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 153 Pr. 1913, c. 342 SL 1957, c. 125 GS 160A-101 SL 2017-12 | Troy municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Graham | City | 14,153 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 339 GS 160A-101 | |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
Cramerton | Town | 4,165 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2013 178 SL 1967, c. 1061 SL 2013-178 | |
Cedar Point | Town | 1,279 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1005 | Although the town charter, SL 1987(88), c. 1005, styles the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of commissioners. There will be a change from 4 to 5 governing board members in the 2021 election. |
Brevard | City | 7,609 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 415 SL 2007-65 | |
Saratoga | Town | 408 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 462 SL 1977, c. 479 GS 163-290 | |
Old Fort | Town | 908 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 271 | |
Bald Head Island | Village | 158 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-324 | |
Hobgood | Town | 348 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 160 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all employees. The 1982 act of the General Assembly calls for two-year terms of the town board, but in fact board members are elected to four-year staggered terms. |
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. |
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. |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 GS 160A-101 | |
Grandfather Village | Village | 25 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987, c. 419 | |
Lilesville | Town | 536 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 764 | |
Creedmoor | City | 4,124 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 826 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. |
Cedar Rock | Town | 300 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-317 | |
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. |
Bridgeton | Town | 454 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 621 | |
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. |
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 | |
Banner Elk | Town | 1,028 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1925, c. 124 GS 160A-101 | |
Hoffman | Town | 588 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 1002 |