What are the options with nonpartisan elections?

First, a city may select the plurality election method. In such an election, the candidate or candidates receiving the most votes is declared the winner or winners, even if one or more of them does not in fact get a majority of votes cast: the most votes wins. (This election method is described in detail in G.S. 163-292.)

Second, a city may select the election and runoff election method. In such an election, a candidate must receive a majority vote in order to be elected. If the highest vote-getter in the election does not receive a majority, the second-highest voter may call for a run-off election between the first and second-place finishers. (This election method is described in detail in G.S. 163-293.)

Third, a city may select the nonpartisan primary and election method. In such an election, a primary is held to reduce the field to two candidates per open seat. In a district election, if no more than two candidates file for a seat, no primary is held for that seat. In an at-large election, no primary is held unless more than twice as many candidates file as there are seats to be filled. (This election method is described in detail in G.S. 163-294.)