Named North Carolina towns would hold elections in even-numbered years

The named towns and cities would hold regular municipal elections in even-numbered years. The schedule covers Pink Hill, Bolivia, Belville, New Bern, Snow Hill, Brookford, Catawba, Claremont, Conover, Hickory, Long View, Maiden, Newton, Marion, and Old Fort. The skipped election and term extensions apply only to the officials and terms specified for each town or city. Most would skip elections in 2027 and resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028. New Bern would skip its 2029 election and resume in 2030. Specified terms ending in 2027 or 2029 would be extended by one year.

The measure sets out four-year terms for Everetts officials and the Columbus mayor, and term and election rules for several Catawba County towns and cities. These provisions cover Everetts, Columbus, Brookford, Catawba, Claremont, Conover, Hickory, Long View, Maiden, Newton, Marion, and Old Fort. In Maiden, the mayor would serve a two-year term; council members would serve staggered terms, with two serving four years and one serving two years after each regular election. The Columbus mayor’s term ending in 2026 would be extended by two years, and no mayor election would be held there in 2026. Other specified towns and cities would resume elections in even-numbered years beginning in 2028.

New Bern’s aldermen would appoint someone to fill a vacancy; if they fail to do so, the county election board would hold a special election. This process applies to vacancies on the New Bern Board of Aldermen. The aldermen would have 90 days to appoint a qualified person. If they fail, the county election board would set an election within 180 days of the vacancy, allow at least seven days for candidate filings, and publish notice at least 30 days beforehand. The process would apply to vacancies occurring when this section becomes law or later.

The text provides rules for Rural Hall candidate petitions and vacancies, Iredell-Statesville school board vacancies, and the Conetoe mayor’s vote. These rules cover Rural Hall, the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education, and the Town of Conetoe. For Rural Hall vacancies, if the departing official was elected as a party nominee, that party’s county committee would make the appointment recommendation within 30 days; only committee members who live in town could vote. For school board vacancies, a replacement appointed by the court clerk must meet the stated party and residency rules. Rural Hall’s petition rule for 2028 and later elections would take effect January 1, 2027; a separate petition deadline applies to its 2026 election. The vacancy rules apply to vacancies occurring when the relevant sections become law or later. The Conetoe voting provision would take effect when it becomes law.