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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
Bermuda Run | Town | 1,725 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 1999-94 GS 160A-101 | |
Morehead City | Town | 8,661 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 879 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 | |
Nags Head | Town | 2,757 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 808 SL 1963, c. 148 SL 1969, c. 62 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
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. |
Bessemer City | City | 5,340 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 1018 | |
Morganton | City | 16,918 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2014-12 SL 1975 c. 180 SL 1998-81 | |
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 | |
Trinity | City | 6,614 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-44 GS 160A-101 | |
Pilot Mountain | Town | 1,477 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 28 GS 160A-101 2012-47 | Pilot Mountain municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Marion | City | 7,838 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 101 | |
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 | |
Nashville | Town | 5,352 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 320 SL 1973, c. 343 GS 160A-101 | Although the legislation cited above styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Laurel Park | Town | 2,180 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-8 | |
Jamestown | Town | 3,382 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 370 | |
River Bend | Town | 3,119 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1981 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
Morrisville | Town | 18,576 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1947, c. 776 SL 1975, c. 802 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. |
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. |
Troutman | Town | 2,383 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 144 | |
Pine Knoll Shores | Town | 1,339 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 265 GS 160A-101 | |
Angier | Town | 4,350 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-63 | |
Franklinton | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 160 SL 2007-138 | |
Laurinburg | City | 15,962 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 586 SL 1995, c. 65 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from districts and one is elected at large. |
Sanford | City | 28,094 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Partisan | SL 1967, c. 650 SL 1997-245 GS 163-290 GS 160A-101 SL 2013-220 | Five council members are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
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 | |
Roanoke Rapids | City | 15,754 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 34 | |
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 | |
Whispering Pines | Village | 2,928 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2008-105 | |
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. |
Stallings | Town | 13,831 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 758 GS 160A-101 | |
New Bern | City | 29,524 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4 | Majority | SL 1985, c. 64 SL 1957, c. 1281 SL 1983, c. 174 GS 160A-101 | |
Elon | Town | 9,419 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 109 | |
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 | |
Creedmoor | City | 4,124 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 826 GS 160A-101 | |
Jefferson | Town | 1,611 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 552 GS 160A-101 | |
Robbins | Town | 1,097 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1935, c. 63 SL 1979, c. 230 160A-101 | |
Beulaville | Town | 1,296 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 136 GS 160A-101 | |
Mount Airy | City | 10,388 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Primary | SL 2003-281 | Four commissioners are elected from residence districts and one is elected at large. |
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. |
Tryon | Town | 1,646 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 441 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 | |
Marshville | Town | 2,402 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 313 SL 1973, c. 652 SL 2000-62 SL 2010-21 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Valdese | Town | 4,490 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 847 SL 2000-28 | |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
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 | |
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. |
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) |
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 | |
Harrisburg | Town | 11,526 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 111 GS 160A-101 | |
Pinehurst | Village | 13,124 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control 1980 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 | |
Stanley | Town | 3,556 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1911, c. 233 GS 160A-101 | |
Newport | Town | 4,150 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1927, c. 225 SL 1969, c. 495 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 | |
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 | |
Kannapolis | City | 42,625 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 191 GS 160A-101 | |
Robersonville | Town | 1,488 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 59 SL 1951, c. 48 GS 160A-101 | Four council members are elected from two-member districts, and one is elected at large. |
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 | |
Mount Holly | City | 13,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 212 | |
Whiteville | City | 5,394 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 1018 GS 160A-101 | |
Archdale | City | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 667 SL 2007-41 | Four council members are elected from residence districts, and two are elected at large. In addition, Archdale holds municipal elections in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
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 | |
Stantonsburg | Town | 784 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1212 GS 160A-101 | |
Newton | City | 12,968 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90). c. 1042 GS 160A-101 | |
Lenoir | City | 18,228 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Primary | SL 1977, c. 118 SL 1997-262 | |
Erwin | Town | 4,405 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1967, c. 12 GS 160A-101 | |
Dallas | Town | 4,488 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 342 GS 160A-101 | |
Rockingham | City | 9,558 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1974, c. 1265 SL 1995(96), c. 698 SL 2001-68 | Three board members are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. |
Chadbourn | Town | 1,856 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989(90), c. 895 SL 2007-271 | |
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 | |
Pineville | Town | 7,479 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 296 G.S. 160A-101 (2015) | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Maxton | Town | 2,426 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 731 GS 160A-101 |