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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Gilead | Town | 1,181 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 133 SL 1957, c. 163 GS 160A-101 | |
Huntersville | Town | 46,773 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1885, c. 46 GS 160A-66 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 | |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 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. |
Matthews | Town | 27,198 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | Pr. 1879, c. 60 Pr. 1911, c. 172 SL 1951, c. 179 GS 160A-101 | |
Leland | Town | 13,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 564 GS 160A-101 | |
Broadway | Town | 1,229 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 548 SL 1997-416 SL 1999-230 SL 2000-39 | |
Mount Holly | City | 13,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 212 | |
Indian Beach | Town | 112 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 513 GS 160A-101 | |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Maxton | Town | 2,426 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 731 GS 160A-101 | |
Chadbourn | Town | 1,856 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 895 SL 2007-271 | |
Lenoir | City | 18,228 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262 | |
Wendell | Town | 5,845 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 107 | |
Erwin | Town | 4,405 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1967, c. 12 GS 160A-101 | |
Indian Trail | Town | 33,518 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-257 | |
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. |
Mayodan | Town | 2,478 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 501 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Oxford | City | 8,461 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 7 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 971 | |
Jacksonville | City | 70,145 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 911 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
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 | |
Maysville | Town | 1,019 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1897, c. 171 GS 163-279 | |
Hamlet | Town | 6,495 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 506 GS 160A-101 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
Lewisville | Town | 12,639 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 116 | |
Bryson City | Town | 1,424 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1891, c. 207 SL 1955, c. 284 GS 160A-101 | |
Beaufort | Town | 4,039 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 435 Pr. 1919, c. 103 GS 160A-101 | |
Jamestown | Town | 3,382 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 370 | |
Denton | Town | 1,636 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 497 GS 160A-101 SL 2009-42 | |
Selma | Town | 6,073 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 934 | |
Cherryville | City | 5,760 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 581 | |
Lexington | City | 18,931 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 906 SL 1987, c. 64 | Six council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
Franklinton | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 160 SL 2007-138 | |
West Jefferson | Town | 1,299 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 326 | Although the West Jefferson charter states that the town operates under the mayor-council form of government, the town actually operates under the council-manager form. |
Beech Mountain | Town | 320 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 246 | |
Fairmont | Town | 2,663 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL,1973, c. 288 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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 | |
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. |
Liberty | Town | 2,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 579 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
Belmont | City | 10,076 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 22 Pr. 1935, c. 161 SL 1947, c. 125 SL 1969, c. 930 GS 160A-101 SC 2017, c. 48 | |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
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. |
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
Fuquay-Varina | Town | 17,937 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1915, c. 167 SL 1959, c. 774 | |
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. |
Kannapolis | City | 42,625 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 191 GS 160A-101 | |
Rhodhiss | Town | 1,070 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1961, c. 471 SL 1985, c. 94 | |
Claremont | Town | 1,352 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2005-54 SL 1961, c. 76 SL 1975, c. 97 GS 160A-101 | |
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). |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
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. |
Sugar Mountain | Village | 198 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-242 SL 1985, c. 395 | |
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 | |
Pembroke | Town | 2,973 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1895, c. 171 SL 1974, c. 1289 GS 160A-66, -101 GS 163-279 SL 1961, c. 97 | |
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. |
Murphy | Town | 1,627 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 261 GS 160A-101 | |
Bermuda Run | Town | 1,725 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1999-94 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 |