Forms of Government and Methods of Election in North Carolina Cities
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Style | Population | Form of Gov. | Governing Body | # Mem. | Mayor Selection | Mayor Term | Board Selection | Board Term | Election Method | Statutory Citations | Notes |
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Alamance | Village | 951 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1979, c. 840 | |
Alliance | Town | 776 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Council Member with the most votes | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1965, c. 760 | |
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. |
Ansonville | Town | 631 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 2003-190 Mun. Bd. Control 1928 GS 163-290 | |
Arapahoe | Town | 556 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Mun. Bd. Control SL 1969, c. 200 | |
Archer Lodge | Town | 4,292 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2009-466 | |
Askewville | Town | 241 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1951, c. 1153 | |
Atkinson | Town | 299 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1921, c. 163 GS 160A-101 SL 2011-44 | |
Aulander | Town | 895 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1933, c. 95 SL 1967, c. 20 GS 163-290, PL 1939, c. 288 | |
Aurora | Town | 520 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 256 GS 160A-101 | |
Autryville | Town | 196 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | PL 1991, c. 384 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Bailey | Town | 569 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 184 | |
Bakersville | Town | 464 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 2 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 2014-56. SL 1955, c. 1291 SL 2005-43 SL 2014-56 | The council employs a town administrator to supervise all departments.Two board members are elected every two years. The person receiving the highest number of votes receives a four-year term; the second-highest vote getter receives a two-year term. |
Bath | Town | 249 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2006-88 PL 1941, c. 175 SL 1959, c. 189 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Bayboro | Town | 1,263 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1903, c. 110 GS 160A-101 | |
Bear Grass | Town | 73 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1909, c. 74 SL 1961, c. 1128 | |
Belville | Town | 1,936 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 84 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator who supervises all departments. |
Belwood | Town | 950 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977(78), c. 1208 SL 1981, c. 114 | |
Bethania | Town | 328 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 74 | |
Black Creek | Town | 769 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1870, c. 104 SL 1951, c. 485 GS 160A-101 | |
Bladenboro | Town | 1,750 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | DAL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1974, c. 1270 GS 160A-101 | |
Boardman | Town | 157 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1991(92), c. 876 | |
Bogue | Town | 684 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1995, c. 286 | Although the town charter, SL 1995, c. 286, styles the town governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the governing board as the board of commissioners. |
Bolivia | Town | 143 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1961, c. 366 | |
Bolton | Town | 691 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1977, c. 271 | |
Boonville | Town | 1,222 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c 363 SL 1981(82), c. 1143 SL 2017-56 | Boonville municipal elections held in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. |
Bostic | Town | 386 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | GS 160A-101 Pr. 1913, c. 263 | Although the town charter, Pr. 1913, c. 263, styles the town governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Bridgeton | Town | 454 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 621 | |
Brookford | Town | 382 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1961, c. 109 GS 163-279 | |
Brunswick | Town | 1,119 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | By and from Governing Board | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1925, c. 197 | |
Bunn | Town | 344 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1963, c. 690 | |
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. |
Calypso | Town | 538 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1913, c. 264 | |
Cameron | Town | 285 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Laws 1876-77, c. 14 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
Candor | Town | 840 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1908, c. 48 SL 1971, c. 576 | |
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. |
Casar | Town | 297 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 3 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 775 PL 1903, c. 359 GS 160A-101 | |
Castalia | Town | 268 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1987(88), c. 952 | |
Caswell Beach | Town | 398 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1975, c. 293 GS 160A-101 | |
Cedar Rock | Town | 300 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1997-317 | |
Cerro Gordo | Town | 207 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973, c. 1044 | Although the town charter, SL 1973, c. 1044, styles the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the town council. |
Chimney Rock | Village | 113 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | By and from Governing Board | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 444 | |
Chocowinity | Town | 820 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1959, c. 343 SL 2004-12 | |
Clarkton | Town | 837 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 440 SL 1985, c. 36 | |
Cleveland | Town | 871 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1927, c. 160 SL 1979(80), c. 1171 SL 1981, c. 262 | |
Clyde | Town | 1,223 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 189 SL 1959, c. 1107 GS 160A-101 | The board of aldermen employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Coats | Town | 2,112 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. 1905, c. 362 SL 1969, c. 160 GS 160A-101 | The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Cofield | Village | 413 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1969, c. 587 | |
Colerain | Town | 204 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1953, c. 290 GS 163-290 | |
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. |
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 | |
Connelly Springs | Town | 1,669 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 6 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1989, c. 528 SL 1993, c. 37 | |
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. |
Cooleemee | Town | 960 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1985, c. 424 | |
Cove City | Town | 399 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | SL 1957, c. 427 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
Creswell | Town | 276 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1907, c. 276 SL 1993(94), c. 626 GS 163-279 | |
Crossnore | Town | 192 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | At pleasure of board | AL | 4S/2 | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 832 | Three aldermen are elected every two years. The two persons receiving the highest number of votes receive four-year terms; the third finisher receives a two-year term. |
Danbury | Town | 189 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1991, c. 169 GS 160A-101 | |
Dillsboro | Town | 232 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Plurality | Pr. 1889, c. 177 Pr. 1907, c. 274 GS 163-279 GS 160A-101 | |
Dobbins Heights | Town | 866 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Majority | SL 1983, c. 658 | |
Dortches | Town | 935 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 4 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4 | Majority | SL 1977, c. 358 | |
Dover | Town | 401 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1901, c. 375 GS 163-290 | |
Dublin | Town | 338 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | PL 1951, c. 509 | |
Earl | Town | 260 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 4 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1971, c. 787 | Although incorporated as \\\"Earl Station\\\" the town now goes by \\\"Earl\\\". In addition, although the town charter refers to the governing board as board of commissioners, the board in fact is referred to as the town council. |
East Arcadia | Town | 487 | Mayor Council | Council Members | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1973(74), c. 954 | |
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. |
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. |
Elk Park | Town | 452 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1951, c. 248 Pr. 1889, c. 256 | Although the original charter of the town, Pr. 1889, c. 256, and the 1951 act amending the charter, both styled the governing board as the board of commissioners, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Ellenboro | Town | 873 | Mayor Council | Aldermen | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 2007-310 SL 1983, c. 425 | Although the town charter, SL 1983, c. 425, and SL 2007-310 each style the governing board as the town council, the town actually styles the board as the board of aldermen. |
Ellerbe | Town | 1,054 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1967, c. 310 Pr. 1931, c. 24 | |
Elm City | Town | 1,298 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | SL 1955, c. 152 | |
Enfield | Town | 2,532 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL/D | 4S | Plurality | SL 1993, c. 479 | Four commissioners are elected from districts and one is elected at large. The board of commissioners employs a town administrator to supervise all departments. |
Eureka | Town | 197 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | SL 1949, c. 459 SL 1981, c. 70 | |
Everetts | Town | 164 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 3 | Elected | 2 Years | AL | 2 | Plurality | Pr. 1893, c. 321 SL 1979, c. 82 | |
Fair Bluff | Town | 951 | Mayor Council | Commissioners | 5 | Elected | 4 Years | AL | 4S | Plurality | Pr. Ex. 1913, c. 25 SL 1983(84), c. 1007 |