AN ACT to modify the process for filling vacancies on the cabarrus County board of commissioners; to provide for the partisan election for members of the currituck county board of education, Subject to a Referendum; to provide for the partisan election for members of the Pitt County Board of Education; to REQUIRE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN all of the Municipalities IN PAMLICO COUNTY to BE HELD IN EVEN‑NUMBERED YEARS; to require REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE VILLAGE OF SIMPSON to BE HELD IN EVEN‑NUMBERED YEARS; and to require thaT municipal elections in the city of monroe be conducted on a partisan basis.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. CABARRUS County board of Commissioners vacancies

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 153A‑27.1(h), as amended by S.L. 2025‑3, reads as rewritten:

(h)      This section shall apply only in the following counties: Alamance, Alexander, Alleghany, Avery, Beaufort, Brunswick, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Henderson, Hyde, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Moore, Onslow, Pender, Polk, Randolph, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Transylvania, and Yancey.

SECTION 1.(b)  This section applies to Cabarrus County only.

SECTION 1.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies filled on or after that date.

PART II. boards of Education – Partisan Elections

CURRITUCK COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

SECTION 2.(a)  Section 1 of Chapter 96 of the 1963 Session Laws reads as rewritten:

Section 1. (a) The Board of Education of Currituck County shall consist of five members to be elected by the electors of said county as hereinafter set out.serve staggered four‑year terms.

(b)        At the general election to be held in said county in 1964, there shall be elected one Four members of the Board of Education of Currituck County shall be elected from residency districts and one member shall be elected from the county at‑large. For the four residency districts, no person shall be eligible to file for or be elected to the board of education unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the residency district in which the candidate seeks to be elected. One member of the Board of Education of Currituck County shall be elected from each of the following residency districts:

(1)        Moyock Township and Township.

(2)        one member from Fruitful Township who shall serve for terms of four (4) years each. Fruitville Township.

(3)        At said election there shall be elected one member of the Board from Poplar Branch and one member from Township Township.

(4)        Crawford Township who shall serve for terms of two (2) years each. At said election there shall be elected one member of the board from the county at large who shall serve for a term of two (2) years. Thereafter, as the terms of office of the members expire, their successors shall be elected and shall serve for terms of four (4) years each and until their successors are elected and qualified.Township.

At all elections held for election of members of the board of education of said county, the candidates shall be elected by the voters of the county voting as a whole.

(c)        Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑37, members of the Board of Education of Currituck County shall be elected on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year as terms expire. Candidates for election to the Board of Education of Currituck County shall be nominated at the same time and in the same manner as other county officers. Members shall take office on the first Monday in December following their election. Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be conducted in accordance with Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes.

(d)       All vacancies on the membership of the Board of Education of Currituck County by death, resignation, or other causes shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1.

SECTION 2.(b)  This section does not affect the terms of office of any person elected in 2024 to the Board of Education of Currituck County. Any vacancy on the Board of Education of Currituck County for a member elected in 2024 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Board of Education of Currituck County to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs in a seat elected from a residency district, the successor shall be elected from the residency district of the vacating member. Each member of the Board of Education of Currituck County elected in 2024, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2024, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.

SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 115C‑37.1(d), as amended by S.L. 2025‑3, reads as rewritten:

(d)      This section shall apply only to the Hickory City Board of Education and the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education and in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Brunswick, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Harnett, Henderson, Hyde, Iredell, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Washington, and Yancey.

SECTION 2.(d)  The question of changing the method of election for the members of the Board of Education of Currituck County shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Currituck County at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026, which election shall be conducted in accordance with the laws governing elections at that time. The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:

[ ] FOR          [ ] AGAINST

Changing the method of election for the members of the Board of Education of Currituck County from nonpartisan to partisan.

SECTION 2.(e)  The Currituck County Board of Elections shall certify the results of the referendum conducted under subsection (d) of this section. If the certification from the Currituck County Board of Elections reflects that a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the referendum set out in subsection (d) of this section, subsections (a) through (c) of this section become effective the first Monday in December 2028, and elections in 2028 and thereafter shall be conducted accordingly.

SECTION 2.(f)  Except as otherwise provided, this section is effective when it becomes law.

PITT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

SECTION 2.1.(a)  Section 1 of Chapter 193 of the 1987 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2013‑318, reads as rewritten:

Section 1. Beginning in December 2014, the The Pitt County Board of Education shall consist of nine members. Nine members shall be elected from single‑member districts, as described in Section 5. Only voters residing in the district may vote for the member from that district.

SECTION 2.1.(b)  Section 4 of Chapter 193 of the 1987 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2013‑318, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 4. Elections shall be held on a partisan basis in even‑numbered years as terms expire, at the time of the regular election of general election. Candidates for election to the Pitt County Board of Education shall be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers. Members shall take office at the time set by general State law on the first Monday in December following the election and shall serve for staggered terms of four years. Members shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with Chapters 115C and 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 2.1.(c)  Section 6 of Chapter 193 of the 1987 Session Laws reads as rewritten:

Sec. 6. Vacancies on the Pitt County Board of Education shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Board. The person appointed shall serve until the next regularly scheduled election for county boards of education, at which time a person shall be elected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term or, if the term is due to expire that year, a new term. The person appointed to fill a vacancy must reside in the same district as the departing member.in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1.

SECTION 2.1.(d)  This section does not affect the term of office of any member elected in 2024 to the Pitt County Board of Education. Any vacancy on the Pitt County Board of Education for a member elected in 2024 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Pitt County Board of Education to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Each member of the Pitt County Board of Education elected in 2024, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy in 2024, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.

SECTION 2.1.(e)  G.S. 115C‑37.1(d), as amended by S.L. 2025‑3, reads as rewritten:

(d)      This section shall apply only to the Hickory City Board of Education and the Newton‑Conover City Board of Education and in the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Beaufort, Brunswick, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Carteret, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Craven, Dare, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Harnett, Henderson, Hyde, Iredell, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Polk, Rutherford, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Washington, and Yancey.

SECTION 2.1.(f)  This section becomes effective the first Monday in December 2026, and elections in 2026 and thereafter shall be conducted accordingly.

part iii. pamlico County Municipalities – Even‑Numbered year Elections

TOWN OF ALLIANCE

SECTION 3.(a)  Section 8 of the Charter of the Town of Alliance, being Chapter 760 of the 1965 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 8. Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. At its organizational meeting on the first Saturday in July, 1967, and biennially thereafter following a each regular municipal election, the board of commissioners shall elect the town commissioner with the largest vote at said election, as chairman, chair, who shall act as mayor, and another of its members its vice chairman, chair, who shall act as mayor pro tempore. The mayor shall preside at meetings of the governing board, and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are or may be conferred and imposed upon him or her by the general laws of North Carolina, by this Charter, and by the ordinances of the town. He The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the town government, for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the service of all legal process in civil matters, and by the Governor for the purposes of civil defense and military law. In time of public danger or emergency the mayor shall, if so authorized and directed by the town governing board, take and exercise command of the town police, maintain order, and enforce the law. In case of the absence or other disability of the mayor to act, the mayor pro tempore shall act as mayor during the continuance of the absence or other disability.

SECTION 3.(b)  Section 14 of the Charter of the Town of Alliance, being Chapter 760 of the 1965 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 14. Municipal Elections. The regular election of members of the board of commissioners shall be held on the last Saturday in June in the odd‑numbered years, beginning with the last Saturday in June, 1967, and biennially thereafter. The board of commissioners may, for any other lawful purpose, and by resolution, order a special election, fix the time for holding the same, and provide all other details and means for holding such special election.at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The board of commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292.

SECTION 3.(c)  Section 15 of the Charter of the Town of Alliance, being Chapter 760 of the 1965 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 15. Regulations of Elections. All elections shall be conducted in accordance with the general uniform municipal laws relating to municipal elections, in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, except as otherwise provided herein.

SECTION 3.(d)  Sections 16, 17, 18, and 19 of the Charter of the Town of Alliance, being Chapter 760 of the 1965 Session Laws, are repealed.

SECTION 3.(e)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Alliance in 2025. The terms of office of the five members of the board of commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Alliance in even‑numbered years beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF ARAPAHOE

SECTION 3.1.(a)  Notwithstanding the Charter of the Town of Arapahoe, being the Charter approved by the Municipal Board of Control and filed with the Secretary of State on September 21, 1920, as reactivated by Chapter 200 of the 1969 Session Laws, regular municipal elections for officers in the Town of Arapahoe shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The election shall be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.1.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Arapahoe in 2025. The terms of office for the mayor and five commissioners in the Town of Arapahoe serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Arapahoe in even‑numbered years beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF BAYBORO

SECTION 3.2.(a)  Section 2 of the Charter of the Town of Bayboro, being Chapter 110 of the Private Laws of 1903, reads as rewritten:

SEC. 2. That there shall be held on the first Tuesday in May,1903, an election for mayor The governing body for the Town of Bayboro shall consist of a Mayor and three five Town Commissioners, and biennially thereafter on the first Tuesday in May an election shall be held for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three Commissioners for said town. That the elected for staggered four‑year terms. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and Town Commissioners of said town shall hold a meeting on the first Wednesday in each month for the purpose of transacting the business of said town. That all be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, municipal elections shall be held under the provisions of the general election law, except as herein amended, except that the Board of Town Commissioners shall appoint all registrar of elections for said town elections and all poll holders, and shall canvass all the votes cast at each election and issue certificates of election to the successful candidates, and in case of a tie in the vote of  any  two  or  more candidates they may decide by a majority vote of said board in favor of either and declare the results of all elections; and for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section the Board of Town Commissioners shall   on the first Wednesday in April, 1903, and biennially thereafter on the first Wednesday in April, and appoint a registrar and two poll holders to hold said election, and the registrar shall be required to keep open the registration book for registration of voters for ten days only, being the ten days next preceding the day of election, Sundays excluded.conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Bayboro in 2025. The terms of office for the Mayor and two Commissioners in the Town of Bayboro serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three Commissioners in the Town of Bayboro serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Bayboro shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2026 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF GRANTSBORO

SECTION 3.3.(a)  Sections 3‑3 and 3‑4 of the Charter of the Town of Grantsboro, being S.L. 1997‑446, as amended by S.L. 2011‑83, read as rewritten:

Section 3‑3. Term of Office of Council Members. Members of the Council are elected to four‑year terms in 2011 and quadrennially thereafter.terms.

Section 3‑4. Mayor; Term of Office. The Mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the Town in 2011 and quadrennially thereafter for a four‑year term.

SECTION 3.3.(b)  Section 4‑1 of the Charter of the Town of Grantsboro, being S.L. 1997‑446, reads as rewritten:

Section 4‑1. Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Council members for the Town of Grantsboro shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.3.(c)  Section 4‑2 of the Charter of the Town of Grantsboro, being S.L. 1997‑446, is repealed.

SECTION 3.3.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Grantsboro in 2027. The terms of office for the Council members and Mayor in the Town of Grantsboro serving on the effective date of this section shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Grantsboro in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028.

TOWN OF MESIC

SECTION 3.4.(a)  Section 3.4 of the Charter of the Town of Mesic, being Chapter 626 of the 1971 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Section 3.4. Terms; Qualifications; Vacancies.

(a)        Except for the terms of office as specified in Section 3.1. and Section 4.1. herein, the Mayor and the members of the Town Board shall serve for terms of two (2) years, beginning the day and hour of the organizational meeting following their election, as established by ordinance in accordance with this Charter; provided, they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify.

(b)        No person shall be eligible to be a candidate or be elected as a member of the Town Board, or to serve in such capacity, unless he or she is a resident and a qualified voter of the Town.

(c)        If any elected Commissioner shall refuse to qualify, or if there shall be any vacancy in the office of Commissioner after election and qualification, the remaining members of the Board shall by majority vote appoint some qualified person to serve for the unexpired term. Any Commissioner so appointed shall have the same authority and powers as if regularly elected.

SECTION 3.4.(b)  Section 4.1 of the Charter of the Town of Mesic, being Chapter 626 of the 1971 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Section 4.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in May of each odd-numbered year, beginning in 1973. In the regular election in 1973 and biennially thereafter, there shall be elected five (5) Commissioners. In the regular election in 1973 and biennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor for a term of two (2) years.at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and the Commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292.

SECTION 3.4.(c)  Section 4.2 of the Charter of the Town of Mesic, being Chapter 626 of the 1971 Session Laws, is repealed.

SECTION 3.4.(d)  Section 4.3 of the Charter of the Town of Mesic, being Chapter 626 of the 1971 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Section 4.3. Regulation of Elections. All municipal elections shall be conducted in accordance with the general uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina relating to municipal elections, in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, except as otherwise provided herein.

SECTION 3.4.(e)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Mesic in 2025. The terms of office of the Mayor and the five Commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Mesic in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF MINNESOTT BEACH

SECTION 3.5.(a)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Minnesott Beach, being Chapter 890 of the 1971 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 3. The governing body of said Town shall consist of a mayor and four commissioners who shall be elected at the time and in the manner provided in the General Statutes.commissioners. The mayor and four commissioners shall be elected to serve two‑year terms. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.5.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Minnesott Beach in 2025. The terms of office of the mayor and the four commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Minnesott Beach in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF ORIENTAL

SECTION 3.6.(a)  Notwithstanding the Charter of the Town of Oriental, being Chapter 184 of the Private Laws of 1899, as amended by Chapter 878 of the 1991 Session Laws, Chapter 4 of the 1993 Session Laws, and Town Resolution 2024‑12, regular municipal elections for officers in the Town of Oriental shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The election shall be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.6.(b)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a regular municipal election shall be conducted in the Town of Oriental in 2025. The mayor and five commissioners elected in the 2025 regular municipal election shall serve for a one‑year term. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Oriental in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF STONEWALL

SECTION 3.7.(a)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Stonewall, being Chapter 385 of the 1969 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 4. The governing body of said Town shall consist of a mayor and three commissioners who shall be elected at the time and in the manner provided in Chapter 160 commissioners, each elected to serve two‑year terms. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.7.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Stonewall in 2025. The terms of office for the mayor and three commissioners in the Town of Stonewall serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Stonewall in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

TOWN OF VANDEMERE

SECTION 3.8.(a)  Notwithstanding the Charter of the Town of Vandemere, being Chapter 311 of the Private Laws of 1895, regular municipal elections for officers in the Town of Vandemere shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The election shall be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 3.8.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Vandemere in 2025. The terms of office for the mayor and five commissioners in the Town of Vandemere serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Vandemere in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

SECTION 3.9.  This Part is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.

PART IV. village of simpson – even‑numbered year elections

SECTION 4.(a)  Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the Charter of the Village of Simpson, being that Charter approved by the Municipal Board of Control and filed with the Secretary of State on April 7, 1975, as amended by Ordinance No. 09‑O‑01 of the Village of Simpson, adopted on July 20, 2009, read as rewritten:

Section 4.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each odd-numbered year, beginning in 1975. In the regular election of 1975, there shall be elected three (3) members of the Council. Beginning in the regular election in 1975, and in subsequent elections all terms shall be for two (2) years.at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year.

Section 4.2. Regulation of Elections. All Except as otherwise provided, all municipal elections shall be conducted by the Pitt County Board of Elections in accordance with the general laws of North Carolina related to municipal elections, except as otherwise herein provided. the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. The municipal elections shall be non-partisan and decided by a simple plurality. No primary election shall be held.conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163‑292.

SECTION 4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Simpson in 2025. The terms of office for the Mayor and the three members of the Village Council serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Simpson in each even‑numbered year beginning in 2026.

SECTION 4.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.

PART V. City of Monroe – Partisan Elections

SECTION 5.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the City of Monroe, being S.L. 2000‑35, as amended by Ordinance Number 2016‑11 adopted on May 3, 2016, reads as rewritten:

Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held in each odd‑numbered year in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. year. Elections shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis and the results determined using the nonpartisan plurality method as provided in G.S. 163-292.partisan basis, as provided in G.S. 163‑291. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 5.(b)  This section shall not affect the filling of a vacancy that occurs for the city officers of the City of Monroe for a seat elected prior to the effective date of this section.

part vi. Effective date

SECTION 6.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.