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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
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. |
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. |
Burlington | City | 49,963 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4 | Primary | SL 1961, c. 119 GS 160A-101 SL 2014-74 | |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
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. |
Mebane | City | 11,393 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 514 GS 160A-101 | |
Granite Falls | Town | 4,722 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 382 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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. |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101 | |
Holden Beach | Town | 575 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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). |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Holly Ridge | Town | 1,268 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 87 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Chadbourn | Town | 1,856 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 895 SL 2007-271 | |
Sugar Mountain | Village | 198 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395 | |
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. |
Erwin | Town | 4,405 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1967, c. 12 GS 160A-101 | |
Wilkesboro | Town | 3,413 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1889, c. 240 SL 1979, c. 645 | Although the Wilkesboro charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the council. |
Bermuda Run | Town | 1,725 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1999-94 GS 160A-101 | |
Holly Springs | Town | 24,661 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2003-73 | |
Chapel Hill | Town | 57,233 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 473 SL 1981, c. 911 GS 160A-101 | |
Summerfield | Town | 10,232 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 426 GS 160A-101 | |
Oxford | City | 8,461 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 971 | |
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 | |
Bessemer City | City | 5,340 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 1018 | |
Davidson | Town | 10,944 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1879, c. 32 SL 1957, c. 36 | |
Charlotte | City | 731,424 | Council Manager | Council Members | 11 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 2 | Partisan | SL 2000-26 | Seven council members are elected from districts and four are elected at large. |
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. |
Wilmington | City | 106,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 495 GS 160A-101 | |
Denton | Town | 1,636 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 497 GS 160A-101 SL 2009-42 | |
Hope Mills | Town | 15,176 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 650 SL 2016-66 | |
Angier | Town | 4,350 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-63 | |
Midland | Town | 3,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-91 GS 160A-101 | |
Cherryville | City | 5,760 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 581 | |
Surf City | Town | 1,853 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 829 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Fairmont | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL,1973, c. 288 GS 160A-101 | |
Wilson | City | 49,167 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | D | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 136 SL 1979, c. 334 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Wadesboro | Town | 5,813 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 297 SL 2003-190 | |
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 | |
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. |
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. |
Beulaville | Town | 1,296 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 136 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Apex | Town | 37,476 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 356 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. |
China Grove | Town | 3,563 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2002-42 | Although the town charter, SL 2002-42, styles the governing board as the board of alderman, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Reidsville | City | 14,520 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90) c. 957 SL 1993, c. 306 | Four council members are elected from 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 | |
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. |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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) |
Dobson | Town | 1,586 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 232 GS 160A-101 SL 2012, c. 47 | Dobson holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Wake Forest | Town | 30,117 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 273 SL 1993, c. 118 | |
Huntersville | Town | 46,773 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Lowell | City | 3,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 111 | |
Kitty Hawk | Town | 3,272 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 206 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 | |
Roxboro | City | 8,362 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1997-282 | |
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 |