AN ACT TO MAKE various changes to local laws in north carolina.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. ROWAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VACANCIES

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 153A‑27.1(h) 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, Rowan, Rutherford, Sampson, Stanly, Stokes, Transylvania, and Yancey.

SECTION 1.(b)  This section applies to Rowan 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. kannapolis etj relinquishment

SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 160D‑202(h) reads as rewritten:

(h)      Relinquishment of Jurisdiction. – When a city relinquishes jurisdiction over an area that it is regulating under this Chapter to a county, the city development regulations and powers of enforcement shall remain in effect until (i) the county has adopted such development regulation or (ii) a period of 60 90 days has elapsed following the action by which the city relinquished jurisdiction, whichever is sooner. Prior to the transfer of jurisdiction, the county may hold hearings and take other measures consistent with G.S. 160D‑204 that may be required in order to adopt and apply its development regulations for the area at the same time it assumes jurisdiction.

SECTION 2.(b)  G.S. 160D‑601(d) shall not apply to the adoption of development regulations by the County of Rowan establishing jurisdiction over an area after relinquishment of jurisdiction by the City of Kannapolis over that area in accordance with G.S. 160D‑202, as amended by this act.

SECTION 2.(c)  This section is effective when it becomes law and expires October 1, 2026.

PART III. CITY OF ALBEMARLE – PARTISAN ELECTIONS

SECTION 3.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2015‑253 and Ordinance 19‑35 adopted on October 7, 2019, reads as rewritten:

Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. Elections (a)  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and members of the City Council shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality method as provided in G.S. 163-292.on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers.

(b)        Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 3.(b)  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 881 of the 1987 Session Laws and Ordinance 95‑18 adopted on May 1, 1995, reads as rewritten:

Section 2.2.  Council; Composition; Terms of Office. Office; Vacancies.  (a)  The City Council shall be composed of seven members, chosen as follows:

(1)        three Three shall be nominated and elected by and from the qualified voters of the City for terms of four years; andCity.

(2)        four Four shall be nominated and elected by and from the qualified voters of the districts, one each from the four electoral districts established under Section 3.3 of this Charter, in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter. For the district seats, no person shall be eligible to file for, be elected to, or serve on the City Council unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the electoral district from which the candidate seeks to be elected, and candidates shall be voted on by the voters residing in the electoral district from which that candidate seeks election.

(b)        Members of the City Council shall be elected for staggered four‑year terms.

(c)        Vacancies in the City Council shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining members of the City Council. Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, if the vacating official was elected as the nominee of a political party, then the individual recommended by the county executive committee of that political party shall be appointed if the county executive committee makes a recommendation within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and does either of the following, as applicable:

(1)        In the event of For vacancies in the council City Council from a district seat, the person appointed as a successor under G.S. 160A-63 must be restricts voting to committee members who reside within the electoral district of the vacating member and recommends a person who is a resident of the electoral district.

(2)        For vacancies in the City Council from an at‑large seat, restricts voting to committee members who reside within the corporate limits of the City.

SECTION 3.(c)  Section 2.3 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance 95‑18 adopted on May 1, 1995, reads as rewritten:

Section 2.3. Mayor; Term of Office; Duties. Duties; Vacancies.  (a)  The Mayor shall be elected by and from the qualified voters of the City in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter to serve for a term of two four years, or until his successor is elected and qualified. The Mayor shall be the official head of the City government and shall preside at all meetings of the Council. The Mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as presently are or hereafter may be conferred upon him by the General Statutes of North Carolina, by this Charter, and by the ordinances of the City.

(b)        Vacancies in the office of the Mayor shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by appointment of the City Council. Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, if the Mayor was elected as the nominee of a political party, then the individual recommended by the county executive committee of that political party shall be appointed if the county executive committee makes a recommendation within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy and restricts voting to committee members who reside within the corporate limits of the City.

SECTION 3.(d)  Section 3.2 of the Charter of the City of Albemarle, being Chapter 259 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 881 of the 1987 Session Laws and S.L. 2015‑253, is repealed.

SECTION 3.(e)  This section shall not affect the filling of a vacancy that occurs for the officers in the City of Albemarle for a seat elected prior to the effective date of this section.

SECTION 3.(f)  Subsections (a) and (e) of this section become effective at the time of the organizational meeting held in accordance with G.S. 160A‑68 in December 2028. In order to implement subsections (a) and (e) of this section, the 2028 elections shall be conducted as if the provisions of this section were already in effect.

PART IV. MOORE COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES – PARTISAN EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS

TOWN OF ABERDEEN

SECTION 4.1.(a)  Article IV of the Charter of the Town of Aberdeen, being Chapter 147 of the 1975 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 220 of the 1995 Session Laws and by Ordinance E2018134, adopted on April 23, 2018, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE IV. ELECTIONS.

Sec. 4.1. Regular Municipal Elections. The municipal elections shall be held and conducted by the Moore County Board of Elections. The regular municipal elections shall be nonpartisan and decided by simple plurality. The regular elections for municipal offices shall be on Tuesday after the first Monday in November in 1975 and every two years thereafter. The held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and the members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Beginning in the regular election to be held in November, 1975, the three candidates for Commissioner receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for terms of four years, and the two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected for terms of two years. Thereafter, as their terms expire, their successors shall be elected for terms of four years. Beginning in November of 2019, the office of mayor shall be elected for a term of two years, and thereafter, starting in the election of November 2021 the mayor shall be elected for a term of four years.

…

Sec. 4.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.1.(b)  Section 3.3 of the Charter of the Town of Aberdeen, being Chapter 147 of the 1975 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance E2018134, adopted on April 23, 2018, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 3.4. 3.3. Terms; Qualifications; Vacancies.Qualifications.

(a)        The members of the Board of Commissioners shall serve for staggered terms of four years. The Mayor shall serve for a term of four years as set forth in Article IV, Section 4.1. Their terms shall begin on the day and hour of the organizational meeting in December, following their election and they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify.

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

(c)        In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor or Commissioner, the Board shall by majority vote appoint some qualified person to fill the same for the remainder of the unexpired term.

SECTION 4.1.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Aberdeen in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Aberdeen shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF CAMERON

SECTION 4.2.(a)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Cameron, being Chapter 14 of the Private Laws of 1876, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 4. There shall be an election (a)  Regular municipal elections shall be held for officers mentioned in this act on the first Monday in May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, and each succeeding year thereafter, under the same restrictions that county and State elections are held; and all citizens within said incorporation, who have resided twelve months within the State and thirty days within the corporate limits, previous to the day of the election, shall be entitled to vote at said elections.at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and the commissioners shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

(b)        Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Cameron in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Cameron shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF CARTHAGE

SECTION 4.3.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Carthage, being S.L. 1999‑239, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE III.  ELECTIONS.

Section 3.1.  Regular Municipal Elections.  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each odd-numbered year in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. even‑numbered 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. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Section 3.2.  Election of Mayor.  A Mayor shall be elected in the regular municipal election in 1999 and each four years thereafter.

Section 3.3.  Election of Council Members.  In the regular municipal election in 1997, the three candidates for Council member who received the highest numbers of votes shall be elected for four-year terms, while the two candidates who receive the next highest numbers of votes shall be elected for two-year terms. In the regular municipal election in 1999, and in each regular municipal election thereafter, persons shall be elected to serve four-year terms in those positions whose terms are then expiring.

Section 3.4. Special Elections and Referenda.  Special elections and referenda may be held only as provided by general law or applicable local acts of the General Assembly.

Section 3.5. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.3.(b)  Section 2.7 of Article II of the Charter of the Town of Carthage, being S.L. 1999‑239, reads as rewritten:

Section 2.7.  Compensation; Qualifications for Office; Vacancies. Office.  The compensation and qualifications of the Mayor and Council members shall be in accordance with general law. Vacancies that occur in any elective office of the Town shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Council.

SECTION 4.3.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Carthage in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Carthage shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF PINEBLUFF

SECTION 4.4.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Pinebluff, being Chapter 243 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance 1987‑3‑19, adopted on March 19, 1987, and by Ordinance 2016‑01, adopted on June 16, 2016, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.

Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. Regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town every two (2) years in odd-numbered years and shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The Mayor and members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality method of election, as provided in G.S. 163-292.on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Section 3.2. Election of the Board of Commissioners; Election of Mayor. At the regular municipal election in 2017, the Mayor and the two (2) Commissioners receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be elected to four (4) year terms expiring in 2021. The three (3) Commissioners receiving the next highest number of votes cast in the 2017 regular municipal election shall be elected to two (2) year terms, expiring in 2019, at which time the seats held by said Commissioners shall be subject to election to four (4) year terms at the regular municipal election 2019. Thereafter, all terms of office for the Commissioners and Mayor shall be four (4) years.The Mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term. The Commissioners shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms.

Section 3.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Pinebluff in 2027. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Pinebluff shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF ROBBINS

SECTION 4.5.(a)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Robbins, being Chapter 63 of the Private Laws of 1935, as amended by the Order approved by the Municipal Board of Control on April 1, 1943, and by Chapter 230 of the 1979 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

The officers of the Town of Robbins shall consist of a mayor and five commissioners to be elected by the qualified voters of said Town at the time prescribed by law for the election of municipal officers. At the next election for municipal officers, there shall be elected a mayor, who shall serve for a term of four years, and five commissioners. The two individuals seeking the office of commissioner who receive the highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of four years; the three individuals receiving the next highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of two years. Thereafter, each commissioner shall be elected for a term of four years.on a partisan basis to serve staggered terms of four years. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.5.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Robbins in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Robbins shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF SOUTHERN PINES

SECTION 4.6.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Southern Pines, being Chapter 352 of the 1981 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance SP05.502 adopted on September 12, 1989, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE III.

ELECTIONS.

Sec. 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election.–Regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town every two years in odd-numbered years and shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Members of the Town Council and the mayor shall be elected according to the nonpartisan primary and election method of elections, and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163-294. That the Mayor of the Town of Southern Pines shall be elected according to the Non-Partisan Primary and Election Method of Elections, and the results determined in accordance with the General Statutes of North Carolina Section 163-294.on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Sec. 3.2. Election of the Town Council.–At the regular municipal elections in 1991 and biennially thereafter, there shall be elected four members of the Town Council to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring.

Sec. 3.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.6.(b)  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the Town of Southern Pines, being Chapter 352 of the 1981 Session Laws, as amended by Ordinance SP05.502 adopted on September 12, 1989, and by Ordinance 987 adopted on June 10, 2003, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 2.2. Town Council; Composition; Term of Office. – The Town Council shall consist of four council members and a mayor, who shall be elected at large by and from the qualified voters of the Town for terms of four years, except as provided below. To implement four-year staggered terms for the members of the Town Council, at the regular municipal election to be held in 2003 the two candidates for council member who receive the highest number of votes shall be elected for four-year terms, while the two candidates for council member who receive the next highest number of votes shall be elected for two-year terms. At the regular municipal election to be held in 2005, and every two years thereafter, persons shall be elected to serve four-year terms in those positions whose terms are then expiring.Town. The mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term and council members shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms.

SECTION 4.6.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Southern Pines in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the two town council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two town council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Southern Pines shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF TAYLORTOWN

SECTION 4.7.(a)  Chapter IV of the Charter of the Town of Taylortown, being Section 2 of Chapter 601 of the 1987 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Chapter IV.

Elections.

Sec. 4.1 Conduct of Town Elections. The Town Council shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis and the results determined by the plurality method as provided by G.S. 163-292.at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Sec. 4.2 Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.7.(b)  Section 3.5 of Chapter III of the Charter of the Town of Taylortown, being Section 2 of Chapter 601 of the 1987 Session Laws, is repealed.

SECTION 4.7.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Taylortown in 2027. The terms of office for the five members of the Town Council 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 Taylortown shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028.

TOWN OF VASS

SECTION 4.8.(a)  Section 6 of the Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 817 of the 1953 Session Laws, and by Ordinance 1988‑11, adopted on November 9, 1998, is repealed.

SECTION 4.8.(b)  The Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 817 of the 1953 Session Laws, Chapter 226 of the 1957 Session Laws, and by Ordinance 1988‑11, adopted on November 9, 1998, is amended by adding a new section to read:

Sec. 6.1. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Town officers shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.8.(c)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Vass, being Chapter 407 of the 1907 Private Laws, as amended by Chapter 226 of the 1957 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

Sec. 3. That the officers of said corporation shall consist of a mayor, three commissioners, town constable and such other officers as the town commissioners may elect for the better government of said town; and the following named persons shall fill the offices of mayor and commissioners from their qualifications until the first Monday in May,  one thousand nine hundred and seven, and until their successors be elected and qualified, viz.: Mayor, Alex. Gunthur; Commissioners, J. A. Leslie, T. J. Smith and W. B. Graham. The Mayor and Commissioners shall take office at the first regular board meeting following the election.The governing body shall consist of a Mayor and five Commissioners. The Mayor shall serve for a term of two years. The Commissioners shall serve for staggered four‑year terms.

SECTION 4.8.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Vass in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and the three commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two commissioners serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Vass shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF FOXFIRE VILLAGE

SECTION 4.9.(a)  Article IV of the Charter of Foxfire Village, being Chapter 237 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE IV.

ELECTIONS.

Sec. 4.1. Conduct of Village Elections. The Village elections shall be non-partisan and the results determined by a plurality of the votes cast, as provided by G.S. 163-292. The regular municipal election shall be held as provided in G.S. 163-279(a)(1) and the applicable provisions of Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.Municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Village officers shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

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Sec. 4.3. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.9.(b)  Article III of the Charter of Foxfire Village, being Chapter 237 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE III.

GOVERNING BODY.

Sec. 3.1. Temporary Officers. Until the regular municipal election to be held in November 1977, Robert M. Cooper, George Anderson, Ralph Olmstead, Katie McWilliams, and Joseph N. Donovan are hereby appointed to act as the council of Foxfire Village, and they shall possess and may exercise the powers granted to the Village Council until their successors are elected and qualify. They shall appoint one member as mayor.

Sec. 3.2. Structure of Governing Body, Number of Members. The governing body of Foxfire Village is the Village Council, which has five members.

Sec. 3.3. Manner of Election of Council. The qualified voters of the entire Village shall elect the members of the Council. The municipal election shall be held and conducted by the County Board of Elections.

Sec. 3.4. Term of Office of the Members of the Council. (a)  Except for the temporary officers provided for in Section 3.1 of this Charter, and except as provided in Subsection (b), of this Section of the Charter, the The members of the Village Council shall be elected for staggered four‑year terms.

(b)        At the regular municipal election in 1977, the three persons receiving the highest number of votes for seats on the Council shall be elected to four-year terms; the two persons receiving the next highest number of votes for seats on the Council shall be elected to two-year terms. Beginning at the regular municipal election to be held in 1979, and every four years thereafter, two persons shall be elected to seats on the Council and shall serve four-year terms. Beginning at the regular municipal election to be held in 1981, and every four years thereafter, three persons shall be elected to seats on the Council and shall serve four-year terms.

Sec. 3.5. Election of the Mayor, Term of Office. At the organizational meetings of the Council following each regular municipal election, the Council shall elect one of its members to serve as its Mayor. The Mayor shall serve as such at the pleasure of the Council.

Sec. 3.6. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the office of Mayor shall be filled by appointment of the Council and the person appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the Council.

If a vacancy for any reason occurs on the Council, the remaining members shall, within 30 days, appoint a qualified voter to fill the vacancy as provided herein. If the vacancy occurs in the first two years of a four-year term, and more than 30 days prior to the regular municipal election, the person appointed shall serve until the organizational meeting of the Council following the election. At the regular municipal election, a person shall be elected to serve the unexpired term, said term to begin on the date of the organizational meeting. A vacancy occurring otherwise shall be filled for the unexpired term.

SECTION 4.9.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Foxfire Village in 2027. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Foxfire Village shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST

SECTION 4.10.(a)  Section III of the Charter of the Village of Pinehurst, being that Charter approved by the Municipal Board of Control on May 8, 1980, as amended by Ordinance Number 95‑17 and by Ordinance Number 01‑16, reads as rewritten:

The Village Council shall consist of four Councilmembers and one Mayor. All Councilmembers and the Mayor shall serve staggered terms of four years. Non-partisan, plurality municipal elections shall be held by the County Board of Elections pursuant to Article Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Councilmembers and the Mayor shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and shall be conducted as provided in G.S. 163-292.Statutes.

At the regular municipal elections to be held in 2003, and every four years thereafter, the two candidates for Village Council who receive the highest number of votes shall be elected to four-year terms, while the candidate for Mayor who receives the highest number of votes shall be elected to the office of Mayor for a four-year term. At the regular municipal election to be held in 2005, and every four years thereafter, the two candidates for Village Council who receive the highest number of votes shall be elected for four year terms.

The Mayor has the right to vote on all matters before the Council. The Mayor has no right to break a tie vote in which he participated.

Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.10.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Pinehurst in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and two councilmembers serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two councilmembers serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Pinehurst shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES

SECTION 4.11.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Village of Whispering Pines, being S.L. 2008‑105, reads as rewritten:

ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.

Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each odd-numbered year even‑numbered year. The Village Council shall be elected on a partisan basis. The primary and election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the general laws governing primaries and elections for county officers. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Village Council shall be elected by the voters of the entire Village on an at-large basis. The municipal elections in the Village of Whispering Pines shall be nonpartisan and decided by a simple plurality.

Sec. 3.2. Election of the Village Council. The terms of the five members elected to the Village Council shall be staggered. At the regular municipal election to be held in 2009, and every four years thereafter, three council members shall be elected to serve four-year terms to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring. In the regular municipal election of 2011, and every four-years thereafter, two council members shall be elected to serve four-year terms to fill the seats of those officers whose terms are then expiring.

…

Sec. 3.4. Unaffiliated Candidates. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except that the date and time petitions must be filed with the county board of elections shall be in accordance with G.S. 163‑122(a)(3).

SECTION 4.11.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Whispering Pines in 2027. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Village of Whispering Pines shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in odd‑numbered years.

PART V. MOORE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION – PARTISAN ELECTIONS

SECTION 5.(a)  Section 2(a) of S.L. 2015‑244 reads as rewritten:

SECTION 2.(a)  Notwithstanding Chapter 389 of the 1997 Session Laws, effective the first Monday in December 2016, the Board of Education of Moore County shall consist of seven members. Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑37, all members 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 Moore 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 the 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.

SECTION 5.(b)  Section 2(d) of S.L. 2015‑244 reads as rewritten:

SECTION 2.(d)  Members shall reside in and represent the districts, but all members are shall be elected by the voters of the county at large by the nonpartisan primary and election method, all as previously provided by law. large. No person shall be eligible to file for or be elected to the Board of Education of Moore County unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the residency district in which the person seeks to be elected. Vacancies on the Moore County Board of Education shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37(f).G.S. 115C‑37.1.

SECTION 5.(c)  This section does not affect the term of office for any person elected in 2026 to the Moore County Board of Education. Any vacancy on the Moore County Board of Education for a member elected in 2026 shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Moore County Board of Education to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. When a vacancy occurs in a seat elected from a residency district, the successor shall be selected from the residency district of the vacating member. Each member of the Moore County Board of Education elected in 2026, or any member appointed to fill a vacancy for a member elected in 2026, shall serve until a successor has been elected and qualified.

SECTION 5.(d)  G.S. 115C‑37.1(d) reads as rewritten:

(d)      This section shall apply only to the Asheboro City Board of Education, 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, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Harnett, Henderson, Hyde, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Washington, and Yancey.

SECTION 5.(e)  This section becomes effective the first Monday in December 2028. In order to implement this section, the 2028 elections shall be conducted as if the provisions of this section were already in effect.

PART VI. REPEAL MOORE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD POLICE

SECTION 6.(a)  S.L. 2010‑64 is repealed.

SECTION 6.(b)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2026.

PART VII. ADD CHOWAN COUNTY TO ALBEMARLE DISTRICT JAIL COMMISSION

SECTION 7.(a)  Section 2 of Chapter 341 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:

Sec. 2.  Article 7 of Chapter 153 of the General Statutes is hereby amended by adding a new section to read as follows:

G.S. 153‑53.8.  District or regional jail commission. – When two or more units of local government have entered into an agreement as authorized in G.S. 153‑53.7, the governing bodies shall create a jail commission composed of representatives from each participating unit appointed by the governing board of each unit. The number of members and their apportionment among the participating units shall be mutually agreed upon by the participating units, but if no agreement can be reached, each participating unit shall be allotted two members. Each member shall be appointed for a term of two years, and shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring for any cause shall be filled by appointment by the governing body which made the original appointment in which the vacancy occurs.

The jail commission shall be the administrative authority of the confinement facility, and shall adopt rules and regulations for the operation of the facility which are not in conflict with law.

The jail commission shall have all of the following powers and duties:

(1)        within Within the limits of funds made available to it, and when authorized by the governing bodies of the local units, to enter into contracts in the name of the respective units for the construction and operation of the confinement facilities;facilities.

(2)        to To employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out its work;work.

(3)        to To accept, receive and disburse in furtherance of its functions any funds, grants and services made available by the State or federal governments and their agencies, any municipality or county and by private sources. All fiscal procedures shall be in accordance with the laws applicable to the participating units, and the jail commission shall prepare each year a report of its activities including a financial statement, and distribute the report to each participating unit.

The jail commission shall organize by electing a chairman, chair, vice chairman chair, and secretary‑treasurer. The secretary‑treasurer shall provide a surety bond payable to the State of North Carolina in such amount and on such terms as the jail commission may require. The jail commission shall hold one regular meeting each month and may call special meetings at the request of the chairman chair or any two members.

The jail commission shall perform such duties and functions relating to the confinement facility as the governing bodies of the participating units by joint resolution may direct. Members of the jail commission shall receive such compensation as the governing bodies of the participating units may fix by resolution. The amount of financial contribution of each participating unit to the jail commission shall be determined by a percentage proportion that the population of each participating unit bears to the total population of all participating units as indicated by the latest federal census of population.

This section shall apply only to the following counties: Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans.

SECTION 7.(b)  Section 2.1 of Chapter 341 of the 1971 Session Laws reads as rewritten:

Sec. 2.1.  The jail commission for Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans and Camden Counties shall be composed of one member from Camden, one member from Chowan, two members from Pasquotank, and one member from Perquimans and one member from Camden.Perquimans.

SECTION 7.(c)  Section 2 of Chapter 371 of the 1991 Session Laws reads as rewritten:

Sec. 2.  This act applies only to the Albemarle District Jail facility in Elizabeth City and to Camden, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans Counties, which place prisoners in that facility.

SECTION 7.(d)  This section becomes effective July 1, 2026.

part VIII. effective date

SECTION 8.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.