Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities

Name Style Population Form of Gov.sort descending Governing Body # Mem. Mayor Selection Mayor Term Board Selection Board Term Election Method Statutory Citations Notes
Alamance Village 951 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 840
Winfall Town 594 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1971, c. 342, 773 GS 160A-101
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.
East Arcadia Town 487 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973(74), c. 954
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.
Cofield Village 413 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1969, c. 587
Orrum Town 91 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 1983(84), c. 993 SL 2017-58
Wingate Town 3,491 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1901, c. 55 GS 160A-101 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Garland Town 625 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 393
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.
East Bend Town 612 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S/2 Plurality SL 1955, c. 611 Pr. 1887, c. 144 SL 1985, c. 104 SL 2017-56 Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the most votes receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. East Bend municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Ranlo Town 3,434 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1963, c. 776
Seaboard Town 632 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pub. 1877, c. 208 GS 160A-101 GS 163-279, -290
Colerain Town 204 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1953, c. 290 GS 163-290
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
Alliance Town 776 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Council Member with the most votes 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1965, c. 760
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
Wallburg Town 3,047 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2004-37.
Lewiston Woodville Town 549 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL/DAL 2 Plurality SL 1981, c. 266 Four council members are elected from residence districts and one is elected at large.
Seagrove Town 228 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 270
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.
Kenansville Town 855 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1967, c. 1194
Hayesville Town 311 Mayor Council Council Members 3 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality PL 1913, c. 468 SL 1977, c. 210 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.
Andrews Town 1,781 Mayor Council Aldermen 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1905, c. 135 SL 1959, c. 193 Pr. 1930, c. 187 SL 1977, c. 209 GS 160A-101 The town board employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Garysburg Town 1,057 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1985, c. 56 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Stedman Town 1,028 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 67 SL 1953, c. 409
East Spencer Town 1,534 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1973, c. 374 The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.
Red Cross Town 742 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2002-56. SL 2015-253 Red Cross municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years.
Sedalia Town 623 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1997-444
Pantego Town 179 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1881, c. 93
Calypso Town 538 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 264
Bethania Town 328 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1995, c. 74
Hemby Bridge Town 1,520 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1998-143 SL 2007-101
Winton Town 769 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1961, c. 674 The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
Gaston Town 1,152 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1949, c. 1153 GS 160A-66
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.
Stem Town 463 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1911, c. 183
Red Oak Town 3,430 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1961, c. 799 SL 1989(90), c. 1035
Walnut Creek Village 835 Mayor Council Council Members 5 By and from Governing Board At pleasure of board AL 4S Plurality SL 1975, c. 687 The council employs a village administrator who supervises all departments.
Como Town 91 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1967, c. 920 Although the town charter, SL 1967, c. 920, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council.
Parkton Town 436 Mayor Council Aldermen 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1945, c. 803 Although the town charter styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen.
Cameron Town 285 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Laws 1876-77, c. 14 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101
Ansonville Town 631 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality SL 2003-190 Mun. Bd. Control 1928 GS 163-290
Woodfin Town 6,123 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality GS 160A-101 SL 1971, c. 271 SL 1979, c. 324 SL 1983, c. 291 The board of aldermen employs a town administrator who supervises all departments.
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
Stokesdale Town 5,047 Mayor Council Council Members 4 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality 1989, c. 488 GS 160A-101
Walstonburg Town 219 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1913, c. 45
Parmele Town 278 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4 Plurality Pr. 1893, c. 60 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-125
Candor Town 840 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality Pr. Ex. 1908, c. 48 SL 1971, c. 576
Woodland Town 809 Mayor Council Commissioners 4 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1883, c. 136 GS 163-279
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.
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.
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.
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
Seven Springs Town 110 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1971, c. 21
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
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.
Mount Pleasant Town 1,652 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Pr. 1883, c. 77 Pr. 1931, c. 148
Arapahoe Town 556 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality Mun. Bd. Control SL 1969, c. 200
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.
Stonewall Town 281 Mayor Council Commissioners 3 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1969, c. 385
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.
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.
Connelly Springs Town 1,669 Mayor Council Aldermen 6 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37
Peachland Town 437 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 2003-328
Kingstown Town 681 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Majority SL 1989, c. 632
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.
Mesic Town 220 Mayor Council Council Members 5 Elected 2 Years AL 2 Plurality SL 1971, c. 626 GS 160A-101
Stovall Town 418 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 4 Years AL 4S Plurality SL 1979, c. 596 SL 2001-100
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.
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.
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.
Carolina Shores Town 3,048 Mayor Council Commissioners 5 Elected 2 Years AL/DAL 4S Plurality SL 1998-75 SL 2003-78 Three commissioners are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large.

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