A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO make various changes to local ELECTION laws in north carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. TOWN OF PINK HILL – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS
SECTION 1.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the Town of Pink Hill, being Chapter 31 of the Private Laws of 1915, as amended by S.L. 2011‑46, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.1. The governing body of the Town of Pink Hill shall consist of a Mayor and three commissioners elected to serve staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 1.(b)  The Charter of the Town of Pink Hill, being Chapter 31 of the Private Laws of 1915, as amended by Chapter 221 of the Private Laws of 1933 and by S.L. 2011‑46, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 3.2. 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 in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. 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 1.(c)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Pink Hill, being Chapter 31 of the Private Laws of 1915, as amended by Chapter 221 of the Private Laws of 1933, is repealed.
SECTION 1.(d)  Chapter 760 of the 1955 Session Laws is repealed.
SECTION 1.(e)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Pink Hill in 2027. The terms of office for the Mayor and one commissioner in the Town of Pink Hill 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 in the Town of Pink Hill 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 Pink Hill shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

PART II. TOWN OF BOLIVIA – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS AND FOUR‑YEAR TERMS
SECTION 2.(a)  Section 2 of the Charter of the Town of Bolivia, as reactivated by Chapter 366 of the 1961 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in even‑numbered years. The mayor and four aldermen shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. The mayor and aldermen shall hold office for four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Bolivia in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and four aldermen 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 Bolivia shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028.

PART III. TOWN OF BELVILLE – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS AND FOUR‑YEAR TERM FOR MAYOR
SECTION 3.(a)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Belville, being Chapter 84 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and members of the board of commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan  plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292.
The municipal elections shall be held and conducted by the county board of elections and the town shall reimburse the county board of elections for the cost thereof. The elections shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, except as otherwise provided herein."
SECTION 3.(b)  Section 5 of the Charter of the Town of Belville, being Chapter 84 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 5. The mayor shall be elected for a term of four years. Members of the board of commissioners shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 3.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Belville in 2027. The terms of office of the mayor and the two members of the board of commissioners set to expire in 2027 shall be extended by one year. The terms of office of the two members of the board of commissioners set to expire in 2029 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections in the Town of Belville shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years and with the mayor being elected to serve a four‑year term.

PART IV. CITY OF NEW BERN – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS AND FILLING OF UNFILLED VACANCIES BY SPECIAL ELECTION
SECTION 4.1.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the City of New Bern, being S.L. 2016‑41, reads as rewritten:
"Section 3.1. Method of election. Regular municipal elections shall be held in the City at the time of the general election in even‑numbered years. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform laws of the State governing municipal elections. The Mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292."
SECTION 4.1.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of New Bern in 2029. The terms of office of the Mayor and six aldermen 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 City of New Bern shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2030.
SECTION 4.2.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the City of New Bern, being S.L. 2016‑41, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Section 3.6. Vacancies.  Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, the remaining members of the Board of Aldermen shall appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Notwithstanding G.S. 163‑287, if the Board of Aldermen fail to appoint a qualified person in accordance with this section, the county board of elections shall set a special election to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The county board of elections shall determine the date of the special election, which shall be held within 180 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, and shall have the authority to set a filing period in advance of the special election which filing period shall be for no less than seven calendar days. The county board of elections shall publish legal notice no less than 30 days prior to the special election with the date and time of the special election and the precincts in which the special election shall be held."
SECTION 4.2.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies occurring on or after that date.

PART V. TOWN OF EVERETTS – FOUR‑YEAR TERMS
SECTION 5.(a)  The Charter of the Town of Everetts, being Chapter 321 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Chapter 82 of the 1979 Session Laws, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 3.1. The officers of the Town of Everetts shall consist of a mayor and three commissioners. The mayor and three commissioners shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. Elections in the Town of Everetts shall be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292."
SECTION 5.(b)  Sections 1, 2, and 3 of Chapter 82 of the 1979 Session Laws are repealed.

PART VI. TOWN OF SNOW HILL – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS
SECTION 6.(a)  Section 3.1 of the Charter of the Town of Snow Hill, being Chapter 58 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.1. Regular municipal elections; conduct and method of election.–Regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Except as otherwise provided, elections shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The mayor and the members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292."
SECTION 6.(b)  Section 2.2 of the Charter of the Town of Snow Hill, being Chapter 58 of the 1977 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2.2. Board of commissioners; composition; terms of office.–The Board of Commissioners shall be composed of five members, each of whom shall be elected for staggered terms of four years in the manner provided by Article 3 of this Charter, provided they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified."
SECTION 6.(c)  Section 3.2 of the Charter of the Town of Snow Hill, being Chapter 58 of the 1977 Session Laws, is repealed.
SECTION 6.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Snow Hill in 2027. The terms of office for the two commissioners in the Town of Snow Hill 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 three commissioners in the Town of Snow Hill 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 Snow Hill shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

PART VII. TOWN OF COLUMBUS – FOUR‑YEAR TERMS FOR MAYOR
SECTION 7.(a)  Section 2.3 of the Charter of the Town of Columbus, being Chapter 46 of the 1985 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Section 2.3. Mayor; Term of Office; Duties. The Mayor shall be elected for a term of four years, or until his or her successor is elected and qualified; shall be the official head of the Town government and preside at all meetings of the Council; shall have the right to vote only when there is an equal division on any question or matter before the Council; and shall exercise the powers and duties conferred by law or as directed by the Council."
SECTION 7.(b)  The term of office for the Mayor for the Town of Columbus serving on the effective date of this section whose term is set to expire in 2026 shall be extended by two years. The Polk County Board of Elections shall not open the filing period for the office of Mayor for the Town of Columbus in 2026 under G.S. 163‑294.2.
SECTION 7.(c)  Subsection (a) of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

PART VIII. TOWN OF RURAL HALL – UNAFFILIATED CANDIDATES AND VACANCY FILLING PROCESS
SECTION 8.(a)  The Charter of the Town of Rural Hall, being Chapter 1100 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2023‑31 and by S.L. 2024‑14, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 4.1. Any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office shall comply with the requirements of Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes, 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 8.(b)  Section 5 of Chapter 1100 of the 1973 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2023‑31, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 5. (a)	A regular municipal election shall be held in the Town of Rural Hall at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. Candidates for election shall be nominated at the same time and manner as county officers.
(b)	Vacancies occurring for any reason in the council shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining members of the council. A vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the council.
(c)	Notwithstanding G.S. 160A‑63, in filling a vacancy under subsection (b) of this section, 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 restricts voting to committee members who reside within the corporate limits of the Town of Rural Hall."
SECTION 8.(c)  Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, for purposes of the 2026 election only, any candidate seeking nomination by petition for municipal office must file a petition with the county board of elections no later than 12:00 noon on July 6, 2026. Except as otherwise provided by this section, candidates shall comply with the requirements set out in Article 11 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
SECTION 8.(d)  Subsection (a) of this section becomes effective January 1, 2027, and applies to elections held in 2028 and thereafter. Subsection (b) of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies occurring on or after that date. Subsection (c) of this section is effective when it becomes law and applies to petitions filed on or after that date.

PART IX. CATAWBA COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES – EVEN‑NUMBERED YEAR ELECTIONS

TOWN OF BROOKFORD
SECTION 9.1.(a)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Brookford, being Chapter 230 of the Private Laws of 1907, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3. The officers of the Town of Brookford shall consist of a mayor and four aldermen elected to serve staggered four‑year terms."
SECTION 9.1.(b)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Brookford, being Chapter 230 of the Private Laws of 1907, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 4. Regular municipal elections for officers 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 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 9.1.(c)  Chapter 109 of the 1961 Session Laws is repealed.
SECTION 9.1.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Brookford in 2027. The terms of office for the two aldermen in the Town of Brookford 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 aldermen in the Town of Brookford 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 Brookford shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF CATAWBA
SECTION 9.2.(a)  The Charter of the Town of Catawba, being Chapter 274 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Chapter 333 of the 1951 Session Laws, Chapter 224 of the 1965 Session Laws, Town Ordinance No. 02‑10 adopted on July 1, 2002, and Town Ordinance No. 2006‑15 adopted on November 6, 2006, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 3.1. The governing body for the Town of Catawba shall consist of a mayor and four council members, elected to serve 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 council members shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis 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 9.2.(b)  Sections 3 and 4 of the Charter of the Town of Catawba, being Chapter 274 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Chapter 333 of the 1951 Session Laws, Chapter 224 of the 1965 Session Laws, Town Ordinance No. 02‑10 adopted on July 1, 2002, and Town Ordinance No. 2006‑15 adopted on November 6, 2006, and referred to as Section 5 in the current amended Town Code, are repealed.
SECTION 9.2.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Catawba in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and two council members in the Town of Catawba 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 council members in the Town of Catawba 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 Catawba shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

CITY OF CLAREMONT
SECTION 9.3.(a)  The Charter of the City of Claremont, being Chapter 11 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Town Ordinance adopted on February 3, 1976, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 3.1. The governing body for the City of Claremont shall consist of a mayor and five council members, elected to serve 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 council members shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis 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 9.3.(b)  Sections 3 and 4 of the Charter of the City of Claremont, being Chapter 11 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Town Ordinance adopted on February 3, 1976, are repealed.
SECTION 9.3.(c)  The following acts are repealed:
(1)	Chapter 76 of the 1961 Session Laws.
(2)	Chapter 97 of the 1975 Session Laws.
(3)	S.L. 2005‑54.
SECTION 9.3.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Claremont in 2027. The terms of office for the three council members in the City of Claremont 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 council members in the City of Claremont 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 City of Claremont shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

CITY OF CONOVER
SECTION 9.4.(a)  Section 4.01 of the Charter of the City of Conover, being Chapter 78 of the 1977 Session Laws, as amended by City Ordinance No. 16‑96 adopted on July 8, 1996, reads as rewritten:
"Section 4.01. Conduct of city elections. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. All elections for mayor and council members shall be held on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. The term of office of the mayor shall be four years. The council members shall serve staggered four‑year terms. Except as otherwise provided, the elections for the City of Conover shall be held and conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes of North Carolina."
SECTION 9.4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Conover in 2027. The terms of office for the three council members in the City of Conover 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 council members in the City of Conover 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 City of Conover shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

CITY OF HICKORY
SECTION 9.5.(a)  Section 2.01 of the Charter of the City of Hickory, being Chapter 323 of the 1961 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 404 of the 1967 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 2.01. Composition, Election, and Terms of City Council; Time of General Election. (a)  The governing body for the City of Hickory shall consist of a mayor and six aldermen. The mayor shall be nominated and elected at large. The aldermen shall each reside in and represent a ward, but all aldermen shall be nominated and elected at large. No person shall be eligible to file for or be elected as an alderman unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the ward in which the person seeks to be elected.
(b)	Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and aldermen shall be elected using the nonpartisan primary and election method in accordance with G.S. 163‑294. The nonpartisan primary shall be held on the date provided by G.S. 163‑1 for county partisan primaries. Candidates shall file the notice of candidacy with the county board of elections under the same schedule provided by G.S. 163‑106.2. Except as otherwise provided, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws in Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.
(c)	The mayor and aldermen shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms and shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified."
SECTION 9.5.(b)  Section 2.51 through Section 2.58 and Section 2.71 through Section 2.74 of the Charter of the City of Hickory, being Chapter 323 of the 1961 Session Laws, as amended by Chapter 404 of the 1967 Session Laws, are repealed.
SECTION 9.5.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Hickory in 2027. The terms of office for the three aldermen in the City of Hickory 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 three aldermen in the City of Hickory 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 City of Hickory shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF LONG VIEW
SECTION 9.6.(a)  The Charter of the Town of Long View, being Chapter 430 of the Private Laws of 1907, as amended by Chapter 131 of the Private Laws of 1929, Chapter 789 of the 1955 Session Laws, and Chapter 616 of the 1961 Session Laws, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 3.1. (a) The governing body for the Town of Long View shall consist of a mayor and five aldermen, elected to serve 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 aldermen shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis 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.
(b)	For the purpose of conducting elections for the five aldermen, the Town of Long View shall be divided into five single‑member districts, known as wards. Each alderman shall reside in and represent one ward, but all aldermen shall be nominated and elected at large. No person shall be eligible to file for or be elected as an alderman unless the person is a qualified voter and resident of the ward in which the person seeks to be elected."
SECTION 9.6.(b)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Long View, being Chapter 430 of the Private Laws of 1907, as amended by Chapter 131 of the Private Laws of 1929 and Chapter 789 of the 1955 Session Laws, is repealed.
SECTION 9.6.(c)  Chapter 789 of the 1955 Session Laws is repealed.
SECTION 9.6.(d)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Long View in 2027. The terms of office for the three aldermen in the Town of Long View 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 aldermen in the Town of Long View 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 Long View shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

TOWN OF MAIDEN
SECTION 9.7.(a)  The Charter of the Town of Maiden, being Chapter 103 of the Private Laws of 1883, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Private Laws of 1885, Chapter 415 of the Private Laws of 1905, Chapter 54 of the Private Laws of 1920, Chapter 350 of the Private Laws of 1939, Chapter 445 of the 1955 Session Laws, Chapter 150 of the 1981 Session Laws, Chapter 346 of the 1983 Session Laws, Town Ordinance No. 3‑76 adopted on April 5, 1976, and Town Ordinance No. 11‑2006 adopted on April 3, 2006, is amended by adding a new section to read:
"Sec. 4.1. The governing body for the Town of Maiden shall consist of a mayor and five council members. Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. The mayor and council members shall be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with G.S. 163‑292. The mayor shall be elected to serve a two‑year term. The council members shall be elected to serve staggered terms such that during each regular municipal election, three council members shall be elected with the two candidates receiving the first and second largest number of votes to serve four‑year terms and the candidate receiving the third largest number of votes to serve a two‑year term. 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 9.7.(b)  Section 4 of the Charter of the Town of Maiden, being Chapter 103 of the Private Laws of 1883, as amended by Chapter 350 of the Private Laws of 1939, Chapter 445 of the 1955 Session Laws, Town Ordinance No. 3‑76 adopted on April 5, 1976, and Town Ordinance No. 11‑2006 adopted on April 3, 2006, is repealed.
SECTION 9.7.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Maiden in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and three council members in the Town of Maiden 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 two council members in the Town of Maiden 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 Maiden shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

CITY OF NEWTON
SECTION 9.8.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the City of Newton, being Chapter 1042 of the 1989 Session Laws, as amended by City Ordinance No. 2002.29 adopted on July 10, 2002, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. GOVERNING BODY.
"Section 3.1.  Structure of Governing Body; Number of Members.  The Governing Body of the City of Newton is the Council, which has six members, and the Mayor.
"Section 3.2.  Manner of Election of Council. The qualified voters of the entire City elect the members of the Council.
"Section 3.3.  Term of Office of Members of the Council. Members of the Council shall be elected to serve staggered four‑year terms.
"Section 3.4.  Election of Mayor; Term of Office.  The qualified voters of the entire City elect the Mayor who shall be elected to serve a four‑year term."
SECTION 9.8.(b)  Section 4.1 of the Charter of the City of Newton, being Chapter 1042 of the 1989 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Section 4.1.  Conduct of City Elections.  Regular municipal elections shall be held at the time of the general election in each even‑numbered year. City officers shall be elected on a nonpartisan basis and the results determined by plurality, as provided by 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 9.8.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Newton in 2027. The terms of office for the mayor and three council members in the City of Newton 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 in the City of Newton 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 City of Newton shall resume in even‑numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd‑numbered years.

PART X. TOWN OF CONETOE – MAYOR VOTING AUTHORITY
SECTION 10.(a)  Section 3.3.6 of the Charter of the Town of Conetoe, being Chapter 154 of the Private Laws of 1887, as amended, and as evidenced by the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Conetoe adopted March 11, 2025, reads as rewritten:
"3.3.6 Mayor's Voting Authority: The Mayor may vote on any question before the Board."
SECTION 10.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law.

PART XI. IREDELL‑STATESVILLE SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION VACANCIES
SECTION 11.(a)  Section 3.5(a) of S.L. 2015‑35 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 3.5.(a)  Notwithstanding the PLAN OF MERGER OF THE IREDELL COUNTY AND STATESVILLE CITY SCHOOLS, as amended by Section 2 of S.L. 2002‑18, members of the Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board of Education 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 Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board of Education shall be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers. Members elected shall take office and qualify on the first Monday in December of the year of their election and the terms of their predecessors shall expire at that same time. Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1. If the vacancy is not filled in accordance with G.S. 115C‑37.1 within 60 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the superintendent of the Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board of Education shall immediately report the vacancy to the clerk of superior court of the county. The clerk of superior court shall appoint to fill the vacancy within 10 calendar days after receiving notification from the superintendent, provided that the person appointed by the clerk of superior court shall be all of the following:
(1)	A voter registered with the same political party as the vacating member, if the vacating member was elected as the nominee of a political party.
(2)	A resident of the same electoral district as the vacating member, if the vacating member was elected to represent an electoral district of less than the entire school district."
SECTION 11.(b)  This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to vacancies existing on or after that date.

part XII. effective date
SECTION 12.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.