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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Pines | Town | 12,334 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Primary | SL 1981, c. 352 GS 160A-101 | |
Maiden | Town | 3,310 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | Pr. 1883, c. 103 PL 1939, c. 350 SL 1955, c. 445 GS 160A-101 | Three council members are elected every two years. The two persons with the highest vote totals receive four-year terms; the person with the third-highest vote total receives a two-year term. |
Roxboro | City | 8,362 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Majority | SL 1997-282 | |
Yanceyville | Town | 2,039 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 501 SL 2000-86 | |
Indian Trail | Town | 33,518 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-257 | |
Mooresville | Town | 32,711 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL/D | 4S | Primary | SL 1975, c. 239 GS 160A-101 | Four commissioners are elected from districts, and two are elected at large. |
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 | |
Southern Shores | Town | 2,714 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1979, c. 203 | |
Manteo | Town | 1,434 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1899, c. 66 Pr. 1907, c. 198 SL 1993, c. 108 GS 160A-101 | |
Murphy | Town | 1,627 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 261 GS 160A-101 | |
Rural Hall | Town | 2,937 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 1100 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. |
Tarboro | Town | 11,415 | Council Manager | Council Members | 8 | Elected | 4 Years | D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 73 | |
Morehead City | Town | 8,661 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 879 GS 160A-101 | |
Southport | City | 2,833 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1983, c. 659 | |
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 | |
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. |
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 | |
Zebulon | Town | 4,433 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 386 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 | |
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. |
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 | |
Taylorsville | Town | 2,098 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1887, c. 86 PL 1939, c. 312 GS 160A-66 GS 160A-101 | |
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 | |
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 | |
Rutherford College | Town | 1,341 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 452 GS 160A-101 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Laurel Park | Town | 2,180 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2000-8 | |
Beech Mountain | Town | 320 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1981, c. 246 | |
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 | |
Waynesville | Town | 9,869 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 126 | |
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. |
Pine Knoll Shores | Town | 1,339 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 265 GS 160A-101 | |
Franklinton | Town | 2,023 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 160 SL 2007-138 | |
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 | |
Rutherfordton | Town | 4,213 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 350 GS 160A-101 | |
Burgaw | Town | 3,872 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2001-247 | |
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. |
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. |
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 | |
Weaverville | Town | 3,120 | Council Manager | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1909, c. 335 GS 160A-101 | |
Spencer | City | 3,267 | Council Manager | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 37 PL 1939, c. 222 SL 1951, c. 325 SL 1957, c. 870 GS 160A-101, | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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. |
Thomasville | City | 26,757 | Council Manager | Council Members | 7 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 1981, c. 211 | |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Emerald Isle | Town | 3,655 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 526 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. |
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. |
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 | |
Spindale | Town | 4,321 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 378 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 | |
Butner | Town | 7,591 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 SL 2007-269 | |
Leland | Town | 13,527 | Council Manager | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 564 GS 160A-101 | |
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. |
Topsail Beach | Town | 368 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1963, cc. 67, 284 SL 1977, c. 272 SL 1989, c. 153 | |
Mount Holly | City | 13,656 | Council Manager | Council Members | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 212 | |
Spring Hope | Town | 1,320 | Council Manager | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1923, c. 207 SL 1973, c. 40 GS 160A-101 Pr. 1889, c. 55 | |
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 |