reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40F - Form of report.

§ 163-278.40F. Form of report.
Forms of reports under this Part shall be prescribed by the board. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40G - Content.

§ 163-278.40G. Content.
Except as otherwise provided in this Part, each report shall be current within seven days prior to the date the report is due and shall list all contributions received and expenditures made which have not been previously reported. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40H - Notice of reports due.

§ 163-278.40H. Notice of reports due.
The director of the board shall advise, or cause to be advised, no less than five days nor more than 15 days before each report is due each candidate or treasurer whose organizational report has been filed under G.S. 163-278.40A of the specific date each report is due. The director shall immediately notify any individual, candidate, treasurer, or political committee, to file a statement under this Part if:
(1) It appears that the individual, candidate, treasurer, or political committee has failed to file a statement as required by law or that a statement filed does not conform to this Part; or
(2) A written complaint is filed under oath with the State Board of Elections by any registered voter of this State alleging that a statement filed with the board does not conform to this Part or to the truth or that an individual, candidate, treasurer, or political committee has failed to file a statement required by this Part. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 1995, c. 243, s. 1; 2014-111, s. 9; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40I - Part 1 to apply.

§ 163-278.40I. Part 1 to apply.
(a) Except as provided in this Part or in G.S. 163-278.9(c), the provisions of Part 1 shall apply to municipal elections covered by this Part.
(b) G.S. 63-278.7, 163-278.9(a) and (b), 163-278.22(1) and (9), the first paragraph of 163-278.23, 163-278.24, 163-278.26, and 163-278.26 shall not apply to this Part. (1981, c. 837, s. 3; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22A - Regulating Contributions and Expenditures in Political Campaigns. › § 163-278.40J - Other committees report by municipal schedule.

§ 163-278.40J. Other committees report by municipal schedule.
A candidate or political committee that appoints a treasurer under G.S. 163-278.7 shall make reports according to the schedule under this Part if it makes contributions or expenditures concerning municipal elections. (2008-150, s. 9(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22D - The North Carolina Public Campaign Fund. › § 163-278.69 - (See Editor's note for contingent repeal) Voter education.

§ 163-278.69. (See Editor's note for contingent repeal) Voter education.
(a) Judicial Voter Guide. – The State Board shall publish a Judicial Voter Guide that explains the functions of the appellate courts and the laws concerning the election of appellate judges, the purpose and function of the Public Campaign Fund, and the laws concerning voter registration. The State Board shall distribute the Guide to as many voting-age individuals in the State as practical, through a mailing to all residences or other means it deems effective. The distribution shall occur no more than 28 days nor fewer than seven days before the one-stop voting period provided in G.S. 163-227.2, 163-227.5, and 163-227.6 for the primary and no more than 28 days nor fewer than seven days before the one-stop voting period provided in G.S. 163-227.2, 163-227.5, and 163-227.6 for the general election.
(b) Candidate Information. – The Judicial Voter Guide shall include information concerning all candidates for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, as provided by those candidates according to a format provided to the candidates by the Board. The State Board shall request information for the Guide from each candidate according to the following format:
(1) Place of residence.
(2) Education.
(3) Occupation.
(4) Employer.
(5) Date admitted to the bar.
(6) Legal/judicial experience.
(7) Candidate statement. Concerning that statement, the Board shall send to the candidates instructions as follows: "Your statement may include information such as your qualifications, your endorsements, your ratings, why you are seeking judicial office, why you would make a good judge, what distinguishes you from your opponent(s), your acceptance of spending and fund-raising limits to qualify to receive funds from the Public Campaign Fund, and any other information relevant to your candidacy. The State Board of Elections will reject any portion of any statement which it determines contains obscene, profane, or defamatory language. The candidate shall have three days to resubmit the candidate statement if the Board rejects a portion of the statement.
The entire entry for a candidate shall be limited to 250 words.
(c) Disclaimer. – The Judicial Voter Guide shall contain the following statement: "Statements by candidates do not express or reflect the opinions of the State Board of Elections." (2002-158, s. 1; 2005-276, s. 23A.1(d); 2005-430, s. 6; 2006-192, s. 14; 2007-391, s. 4(a); 2008-187, s. 33(a); 2009-543, s. 6; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-144, s. 3.4(n); 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22J - The Voter-Owned Elections Act. › § 163-278.99E - Voter education.

§ 163-278.99E. Voter education.
(See Editor's note for contingent repeal) Relationship to the Judicial Voter Guide. – The State Board may publish the Voter Guide in conjunction with the Judicial Voter Guide described in G.S. 163-278.69. (2007-391, s. 4(b); 2007-484, s. 43.8(c); 2007-540, s. 1; 2008-187, s. 33(a); 2013-360, s. 21.1(i); 2013-381, s. 38.1(l); 2014-111, s. 8; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.301 - Creation of legal expense funds.

§ 163-278.301. Creation of legal expense funds.
(a) An elected officer, or another individual or group of individuals on the elected officer's behalf, shall create a legal expense fund if given a legal expense donation, other than from that elected officer's self, spouse, parents, brothers, or sisters, for any of the following purposes:
(1) To fund an existing legal action taken by or against the elected officer in that elected officer's official capacity.
(2) To fund a potential legal action taken by or against an elected officer in that elected officer's official capacity.
(b) This section shall not apply to any payment to the State or any of its political subdivisions.
(c) The legal expense fund shall comply with all provisions of this Article.
(d) If an elected officer funds legal actions entirely from that elected officer's own legal expense donations or those of the elected officer's spouse, parents, brothers, or sisters, that elected officer is not required to create a legal expense fund. If a legal expense fund accepts legal expense donations as described in subsection (a) of this section, that legal expense fund shall report the elected officer's own legal expense donations and those of those family members along with the other legal expense donations in accordance with G.S. 163-278.310.
(e) No more than one legal expense fund shall be created by or for an elected officer for the same legal action. Legal actions arising out of the same set of transactions and occurrences are deemed the same legal action for purposes of this subsection. A legal expense fund created for one legal action or potential legal action may be kept open by or on behalf of the elected officer for subsequent legal actions or potential legal actions.
(f) Contractual arrangements, including liability insurance, or commercial relationships or arrangements made in the normal course of business if not made for the purpose of lobbying, are not "legal expense donations" for purposes of this Article. Use of such contractual arrangements to fund legal actions does not by itself require the elected officer to create a legal expense fund. If a legal expense fund has been created pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, such contractual arrangements shall be reported as expenditures.
(g) A violation of this Article shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. (2007-349, s. 1; 2009-534, s. 2(b); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.306 - Treasurer.

§ 163-278.306. Treasurer.
(a) Each legal expense fund shall appoint a treasurer and, under verification, report the name and address of the treasurer to the State Board.
(b) A legal expense fund may remove its treasurer. In case of the death, resignation, or removal of its treasurer, the legal expense fund shall appoint a successor within 10 calendar days of the vacancy and certify the name and address of the successor in the same manner provided in the case of an original appointment.
(c) Every treasurer of a legal expense fund shall receive training from the Board as to the duties of the office within three months of appointment and at least once every four years thereafter. (2007-349, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.307 - Detailed accounts to be kept by treasurer.

§ 163-278.307. Detailed accounts to be kept by treasurer.
(a) The treasurer of each legal expense fund shall keep detailed accounts, current within seven calendar days after the date of receiving a legal expense donation or making an expenditure, of all legal expense donations received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the legal expense fund.
(b) Accounts kept by the treasurer of a legal expense fund or the accounts of a treasurer or legal expense fund at any bank or other depository may be inspected by a member, designee, agent, attorney, or employee of the Board who is making an investigation pursuant to G.S. 163-278.22.
(c) For purposes of this section, "detailed accounts" shall mean at least all information required to be included in the quarterly report required under this Article.
(d) When a treasurer shows that best efforts have been used to obtain, maintain, and submit the information required by this Article, any report of the legal expense shall be considered in compliance with this Article and shall not be the basis for criminal prosecution or the imposition of civil penalties. The State Board shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. (2007-349, s. 1; 2009-534, s. 2(c); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.308 - Reports filed with Board.

§ 163-278.308. Reports filed with Board.
(a) The treasurer of each legal expense fund shall file with the Board the following reports:
(1) Organizational report. – The report required under G.S. 163-278.309.
(2) Quarterly report. – The report required under G.S. 163-278.310.
(b) Any report or attachment required by this Article must be filed under certification of the treasurer as true and correct to the best of the knowledge of that officer.
(c) The organizational report shall be filed within 10 calendar days of the creation of the legal expense fund. All quarterly reports shall be filed with the Board no later than 10 business days after the end of each calendar quarter.
(d) Treasurers shall electronically file each report required by this section that shows a cumulative total for the quarter in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) in legal expense donations or expenditures, according to rules adopted by the Board. The Board shall provide the software necessary to the treasurer to file the required electronic report at no cost to the legal expense fund.
(e) Any statement required to be filed under this Article shall be signed and certified as true and correct by the treasurer and shall be certified as true and correct to the best of the treasurer's knowledge. The elected officer creating the legal expense fund, or the other individual or group of individuals creating the legal expense fund on the elected officer's behalf, shall certify as true and correct to the best of their knowledge the organizational report and appointment of the treasurer. A certification under this Article shall be treated as under oath, and any individual making a certification under this Article knowing the information to be untrue is guilty of a Class I felony. (2007-349, s. 1; 2009-534, s. 2(d); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.309 - Organizational report.

§ 163-278.309. Organizational report.
(a) Each appointed treasurer shall file with the Board a statement of organization that includes all of the following:
(1) The name, address, and purpose of the legal expense fund.
(2) The names, addresses, and relationships of affiliated or connected elected officers, candidates, political committees, referendum committees, political parties, or similar organizations.
(3) The name, address, and position with the legal expense fund of the custodian of books and accounts.
(4) A listing of all banks, safety deposit boxes, or other depositories used, including the names and numbers of all accounts maintained and the numbers of all such safety deposit boxes used. The Board shall keep any account number required by this Article confidential except as necessary to conduct an audit or investigation, except as required by a court of competent jurisdiction, or except as confidentiality is waived by the treasurer. Disclosure of an account number in violation of this subdivision shall not give rise to a civil cause of action. This limitation of liability does not apply to the disclosure of account numbers in violation of this subdivision as a result of gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise be actionable.
(5) The name or names and address or addresses of any assistant treasurers appointed by the treasurer. Such assistant treasurers shall be authorized to act in the name of the treasurer, who shall be fully responsible for any act or acts committed by an assistant treasurer, and the treasurer shall be fully liable for any violation of this Article committed by any assistant treasurer.
(6) Any other information which might be requested by the Board that deals with the legal expense fund organization.
(b) Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported to the Board within 10 calendar days following the change. (2007-349, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.310 - Quarterly report.

§ 163-278.310. Quarterly report.
The treasurer of each legal expense fund shall be required to file a quarterly report with the State Board containing all of the following:
(1) Legal expense donations. – The name and complete mailing address of each donor, the amount of the legal expense donation, the principal occupation of the donor, and the date the legal expense donation was received. The total sum of all legal expense donations to date shall also be plainly exhibited. The treasurer is not required to report the name of any donor making a total legal expense donation of fifty dollars ($50.00) or less in a calendar quarter, but shall instead report the fact that the treasurer has received a total legal expense donation of fifty dollars ($50.00) or less, the amount of the legal expense donation, and the date of receipt.
(2) Expenditures. – A list of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the legal expense fund. The report shall list the name and complete mailing address of each payee, the amount paid, the purpose, and the date such payment was made. The total sum of all expenditures to date shall also be plainly exhibited. The payee shall be the entity to whom the legal expense fund is obligated to make the expenditure. If the expenditure is to a financial institution for revolving credit or a reimbursement for a payment to a financial institution for revolving credit, the statement shall also include a specific itemization of the goods and services purchased with the revolving credit. If the obligation is for more than one good or service, the statement shall include a specific itemization of the obligation so as to provide a reasonable understanding of the obligation.
(3) Loans. – All proceeds from loans shall be recorded separately with a detailed analysis reflecting the amount of the loan, the source, the period, the rate of interest, and the security pledged, if any, and all makers and endorsers. (2007-349, s. 1; 2009-534, s. 2(e); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 22M - Legal Expense Funds. › § 163-278.320 - Permitted uses of legal expense funds.

§ 163-278.320. Permitted uses of legal expense funds.
(a) A legal expense fund may be used for reasonable expenses actually incurred by the elected officer in relation to a legal action or potential legal action brought by or against the elected officer in that elected officer's official capacity. The elected officer's campaign itself shall not be funded from a legal expense fund.
(b) Upon closing a legal expense account, the treasurer shall distribute the remaining monies in the legal expense fund to any of the following:
(1) The Indigent Persons' Attorney Fee Fund under Article 36 of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes.
(2) The North Carolina State Bar for the provision of civil legal services for indigents.
(3) Payments to an organization described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. § 170(c)), provided that the candidate or the candidate's spouse, children, parents, brothers, or sisters are not employed by the organization.
(4) To return all or a portion of a legal expense donation to the donor.
(5) Payment to the Escheat Fund established by Chapter 116B of the General Statutes. (2007-349, s. 1; 2009-534, s. 2(g); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-279 - Time of municipal primaries and elections.

§ 163-279. Time of municipal primaries and elections.
(a) Primaries and elections for offices filled by election of the people in cities, towns, incorporated villages, and special districts shall be held in 1973 and every two or four years thereafter as provided by municipal charter on the following days:
(1) If the election is nonpartisan and decided by simple plurality, the election shall be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
(2) If the election is partisan, the election shall be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the first primary shall be held on the second Tuesday after Labor Day, and the second primary, if required, shall be held on the fourth Tuesday before the election.
(3) If the election is nonpartisan and the nonpartisan primary method of election is used, the election shall be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November and the nonpartisan primary shall be held on the fourth Tuesday before the election.
(4) If the election is nonpartisan and the election and runoff election method of election is used, the election shall be held on the fourth Tuesday before the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the runoff election, if required, shall be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
(b) Officers of sanitary districts elected in 1970 shall hold office until the first Monday in December, 1973, notwithstanding G.S. 130-126. Beginning in 1973, sanitary district elections shall be held at the times provided in this section or in G.S. 130A-50(b1). (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 1115; 1987, c. 22, s. 2; 2006-192, s. 3; 2011-141, s. 1(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-282 - Residency defined for voting in municipal elections.

§ 163-282. Residency defined for voting in municipal elections.
The rules for determining residency within a municipality shall be the same as prescribed in G.S. 163-57 for determining county residency. No person shall be entitled to reside in more than one city or town at the same time. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-283 - Right to participate or vote in party primary.

§ 163-283. Right to participate or vote in party primary.
No person shall be entitled to vote or otherwise participate in the primary election of any political party unless that person complies with all of the following:
(1) Is a registered voter.
(2) Has declared and has had recorded on the registration book or record the fact that the voter affiliates with the political party in whose primary the voter proposes to vote or participate.
(3) Is in good faith a member of that party.
Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, any unaffiliated voter who is authorized under G.S. 163-119 may also vote in the primary if the voter is otherwise eligible to vote in that primary except for subdivisions (2) and (3) of the previous paragraph.
Any person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary election, shall be entitled to register while the registration books are open during the regular registration period prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered, provided however, under full-time and permanent registration, such an individual may register not earlier than 60 days nor later than the last day for making application to register under G.S. 163-82.6(d) prior to the primary. In addition, persons who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which the primary is held, who do not register during the special period may register to vote after such period as if they were qualified on the basis of age, but until they are qualified by age to vote, they may vote only in primary elections. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1983, c. 331, s. 5; 1987, c. 408, s. 5; c. 457, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1032, s. 8; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 62; 2008-150, s. 5(c); 2009-541, s. 24; 2013-381, s. 16.6; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-283.1 - Voting in nonpartisan primary.

§ 163-283.1. Voting in nonpartisan primary.
Any person who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election for which a nonpartisan primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, shall be entitled to register for the primary and general election prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered. Such a person may register not earlier than 60 days nor later than the last day for making application to register under G.S. 163-82.6(d) prior to the primary. (2009-541, s. 25; 2013-381, s. 16.7; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-284 - Mandatory administration by county boards of elections.

§ 163-284. Mandatory administration by county boards of elections.
The registration of voters and the conduct of all elections in municipalities and special districts shall be under the authority of the county board of elections. Any contested election or allegations of irregularities shall be made to the county board of elections and appeals from such rulings may be made to the State Board of Elections under existing statutory provisions and rules or regulations adopted by the State Board of Elections.
Each municipality and special district shall reimburse the county board of elections for the actual cost involved in the administration required under this section. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 84; 2011-31, s. 4; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-284.1 - Special district elections conducted by county.

§ 163-284.1. Special district elections conducted by county.
All elections held in and for a sanitary district, fire district or other special district, including school administrative units, shall be conducted by the county board of elections notwithstanding the fact that the taxes of the special district may be levied by a city. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-286 - Conduct of municipal and special district elections; application of Chapter 163.

§ 163-286. Conduct of municipal and special district elections; application of Chapter 163.
To the extent that the laws, rules and procedures applicable to the conduct of primary, general and special elections by county boards of elections under Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19 and 22 of this Chapter are not inconsistent with provisions of this Article, those laws, rules and procedures shall apply to municipal and special district elections and their conduct by the board of elections conducting those elections. The State Board of Elections shall have the same authority over all such elections as it has over county and State elections under those Articles. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 85; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 64; 2011-31, s. 6; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-287 - Special elections; procedure for calling.

§ 163-287. Special elections; procedure for calling.
(a) Any county, municipality, or any special district shall have authority to call special elections as permitted by law. Prior to calling a special election, the governing body of the county, municipality, or special district shall adopt a resolution specifying the details of the election, and forthwith deliver the resolution to the local board of elections. The resolution shall call on the local board of elections to conduct the election described in the resolution and shall state the date on which the special election is to be conducted. In setting the date, counties, municipalities, and special districts are encouraged to set a date that will result in the highest possible voter turnout. However, the special election may be held only as follows:
(1) At the same time as any other State or county general election.
(2) At the same time as the primary election in any even-numbered year.
(3) At the same time as any other election requiring all the precincts in the county to be open.
(4) At the same time as a municipal general election, if the special election is within the jurisdiction of the municipality only.
(b) Legal notice of the special election shall be published no less than 45 days prior to the special election. The local board of elections shall be responsible for publishing the legal notice. The notice shall state the date and time of the special election, the issue to be submitted to the voters, and the precincts in which the election will be held. This subsection shall not apply to bond elections.
(c) The last sentence of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any special election related to the public health or safety, including a vacancy in the office of sheriff or a bond referendum for financing of health and sanitation systems, if the governing body adopts a resolution stating the need for the special election at a time different from any other State, county, or municipal general election or the primary in any even-numbered year.
(d) The last sentence of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to municipal incorporation or recall elections pursuant to local act of the General Assembly.
(e) The last sentence of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to municipal elections to fill vacancies in office pursuant to local act of the General Assembly where more than six months remain in the term of office, and if less than six months remain in the office, the governing board may fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term notwithstanding any provision of a local act of the General Assembly.
(f) This section shall not impact the authority of the courts or the State Board to order a new election at a time set by the courts or State Board under this Chapter. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 86; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 65; 2011-31, s. 7; 2013-381, s. 10.1; 2014-111, s. 17.5(a); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-288 - Registration for city elections; county and municipal boards of elections.

§ 163-288. Registration for city elections; county and municipal boards of elections.
The registration record of the county board of elections shall be the official registration record for voters to vote in all elections, city, district, county, State or national. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 87; 1981, c. 33, s. 5; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1032, s. 7; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 66; 2011-31, s. 8; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-288.1 - Activating voters for newly annexed or incorporated areas.

§ 163-288.1. Activating voters for newly annexed or incorporated areas.
(a) Whenever any new city or special district is incorporated or whenever an existing city or district annexes any territory, the city or special district shall cause a map of the corporate or district limits to be prepared from the boundary descriptions in the act, charter or other document creating the city or district or authorizing or implementing the annexation. The map shall be delivered to the county board of elections conducting the elections for the city or special district. The board of elections shall then activate for city or district elections each voter eligible to vote in the city or district who is registered to vote in the county to the extent that residence addresses shown on the county registration certificates can be identified as within the limits of the city or special district. Each voter whose registration is thus activated for city or special district elections shall be so notified by mail. The cost of preparing the map of the newly incorporated city or special district or of the newly annexed area, and of activating voters eligible to vote therein, shall be paid by the city or special district. In lieu of the procedures set forth in this section, the county board of elections may use either of the methods of registration of voters set out in G.S. 163-288.2 when activating voters pursuant to the incorporation of a new city or election of city officials or both under authority of an act of the General Assembly or when activating voters after an annexation of new territory by a city or special district under Chapter 160A, Article 4A, or other general or local law.
(b) Each voter whose registration is changed by the county or municipal board of elections in any manner pursuant to any annexation or expunction under this subsection shall be so notified by mail.
(c) The State Board of Elections shall have authority to adopt regulations for the more detailed administration of this section. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 88; 1977, c. 752, s. 1; 2011-31, s. 9; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-288.1A - Activating voters when charter revised.

§ 163-288.1A. Activating voters when charter revised.
Whenever a city has not held the most recent two elections required by its charter or this Chapter, and the General Assembly amends the charter of that city and provides that the county board of elections shall conduct the elections of that city, voters shall be activated for the elections of that city in accordance with G.S. 163-288.1 or G.S. 163-288.2. In such a case, the county shall prepare the map required by G.S. 163-288.1(a). (1985, c. 350; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-288.3 - Payment of cost of elections on question of formation of a new municipality or special district.

§ 163-288.3. Payment of cost of elections on question of formation of a new municipality or special district.
Whenever a referendum or election is held on the question of incorporation of a new municipality or the formation of a special district, the cost of the election shall be paid by the new municipality or special district in the event the voters approve of incorporation or creation and the new municipality or special district is established. If the voters disapprove and the new municipality or special district is not established, the cost of the election shall be paid by the county. The cost of the election shall be advanced by the county, which shall be reimbursed within 18 months of the date of election, by the municipality or special district if it is established. (1981, c. 786, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-289 - Right to challenge; challenge procedure.

§ 163-289. Right to challenge; challenge procedure.
(a) The rules governing challenges in municipal elections shall be the same as are now applicable to challenges made in a county election, provided however, any voter who challenges another voter's right to vote in any municipal or special district election must reside in such municipality or special district.
(b) Whenever a challenge is made pursuant to this section, the appropriate board of elections shall process such challenge in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of this Chapter as such Article is applicable. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 89; 2011-31, s. 10; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 23 - Municipal Election Procedure. › § 163-290 - Alternative methods of determining the results of municipal elections.

§ 163-290. Alternative methods of determining the results of municipal elections.
(a) Each city, town, village, and special district in this State shall operate under one of the following alternative methods of nominating candidates for and determining the results of its elections:
(1) The partisan primary and election method set out in G.S. 163-291.
(2) The nonpartisan primary and election method set out in G.S. 163-294.
(3) The nonpartisan plurality method set out in G.S. 163-292.
(4) The nonpartisan election and runoff election method set out in G.S. 163-293.
(b) Each city whose charter provides for partisan municipal elections as of January 1, 1972, shall operate under the partisan primary and election method until such time as its charter is amended to provide for nonpartisan elections. Each city, town, village, and special district whose elections are by charter or general law nonpartisan may select the nonpartisan primary and election method, the nonpartisan plurality method, or the nonpartisan election and runoff election method by resolution of the municipal governing board adopted and filed with the State Board of Elections not later than 5:00 P.M. Monday, January 31, 1972, except that a city whose charter provides for a nonpartisan primary as of January 1, 1972, may not select the plurality method unless its charter is so amended. If the municipal governing board does not exercise its option to select another choice before that time, the municipality shall operate under the method specified in the following table:
Cities, towns and villages of
less than 5,000 Plurality
Cities, towns and villages of
5,000 or more Election and Runoff Election
Special districts Plurality
After January 31, 1972, each city, town and village may change its method of election from one to another of the methods set out in subsection (a) by act of the General Assembly or in the manner provided by law for amendment of its charter. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-292 - Determination of election results in cities using the plurality method.

§ 163-292. Determination of election results in cities using the plurality method.
In conducting nonpartisan elections and using the plurality method, elections shall be determined in accordance with the following rules:
(1) When more than one person is seeking election to a single office, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes shall be declared elected.
(2) When more persons are seeking election to two or more offices (constituting a group) than there are offices to be filled, those candidates receiving the highest number of votes, equal in number to the number of offices to be filled, shall be declared elected.
(3) If two or more candidates receiving the highest number of votes each receive the same number of votes, the board of elections shall determine the winner by lot. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-294 - Determination of election results in cities using nonpartisan primaries.

§ 163-294. Determination of election results in cities using nonpartisan primaries.
(a) In cities whose elections are nonpartisan and who use the nonpartisan primary and election method, there shall be a primary to narrow the field of candidates to two candidates for each position to be filled if, when the filing period closes, there are more than two candidates for a single office or the number of candidates for a group of offices exceeds twice the number of positions to be filled. If only one or two candidates file for a single office, no primary shall be held for that office and the candidates shall be declared nominated. If the number of candidates for a group of offices does not exceed twice the number of positions to be filled, no primary shall be held for those offices and the candidates shall be declared nominated.
(b) In the primary, the two candidates for a single office receiving the highest number of votes, and those candidates for a group of offices receiving the highest number of votes, equal to twice the number of positions to be filled, shall be declared nominated. In both the primary and election, a voter should not mark more names for any office than there are positions to be filled by election. If two or more candidates receiving the highest number of votes each received the same number of votes, the board of elections shall determine their relative ranking by lot, and shall declare the nominees accordingly. The canvass of the primary shall be held on the seventh day following the primary. In accepting the filing of complaints concerning the conduct of an election, a board of elections shall be subject to the rules concerning Sundays and holidays set forth in G.S. 103-5.
(c) In the election, the names of those candidates declared nominated without a primary and those candidates nominated in the primary shall be placed on the ballot. The candidate for a single office receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. Those candidates for a group of offices receiving the highest number of votes, equal in number to the number of positions to be filled, shall be elected. If two candidates receiving the highest number of votes each received the same number of votes, the board of elections shall determine the winner by lot. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1991, c. 341, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 553, s. 4; 2001-460, s. 6; 2003-278, s. 10(h); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-294.1 - Death of candidates or elected officers.

§ 163-294.1. Death of candidates or elected officers.
(a) This section shall apply only to municipal and special district elections.
(b) If a candidate for political party nomination for office dies, becomes disqualified, or withdraws before the primary but after the ballots have been printed, the provisions of G.S. 163-112 shall govern.
If a candidate for nomination in a nonpartisan municipal primary dies, becomes disqualified, or withdraws before the primary but after the ballots have been printed, the board of elections shall determine whether or not there is time to reprint the ballots. If the board determines that there is not enough time to reprint the ballots, the deceased or disqualified candidate's name shall remain on the ballots. If he receives enough votes for nomination, such votes shall be disregarded and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes below the number necessary for nomination shall be declared nominated. If the death or disqualification of the candidate leaves only two candidates for each office to be filled, the nonpartisan primary shall not be held and all candidates shall be declared nominees.
If a nominee for political party nomination dies, becomes disqualified, or withdraws after the primary and before election day, the provisions of G.S. 163-114 shall govern.
If a candidate in a nonpartisan election dies, becomes disqualified, or withdraws before election day and after the ballots have been printed, the board of elections shall determine whether there is enough time to reprint the ballots. If there is not enough time to reprint the ballots, and should the deceased or disqualified candidate receive enough votes to be elected, the board of elections shall declare the office vacant, and it shall be filled as provided by law.
(c) If a person elected to any city office dies, becomes disqualified, or resigns on or after election day and before he has qualified by taking the oath of office, the office shall be deemed vacant, and shall be filled as provided by law.
(d) A vacancy that occurs in a municipal or special district elective office shall be filled by the governing body as provided in G.S. 160A-63. In the case of a special district, the words "city council" as used in G.S. 160A-63, shall mean the governing body of the special district. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1985, c. 619; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-294.3 - Sole candidates to be voted upon in nonpartisan municipal elections.

§ 163-294.3. Sole candidates to be voted upon in nonpartisan municipal elections.
Each candidate for municipal office in nonpartisan municipal elections shall be voted upon, even though only one candidate has filed or has been nominated for a given office, in order that the voters may have the opportunity to cast write-in votes under the general election laws. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-294.4 - Failure of candidates to file; death of a candidate before election.

§ 163-294.4. Failure of candidates to file; death of a candidate before election.
(a) If in a nonpartisan municipal election, when the filing period expires, candidates have not filed for all offices to be filled, the board of elections may extend the filing period for five days.
(b) If at the time the filing period closes only two persons have filed notice of candidacy for election to a single office or only as many persons have filed notices of candidacy for group offices as there are offices to be filled, and thereafter one of the candidates dies before the election and before the ballots are printed, the board of elections shall, upon notification of the death, immediately reopen the filing period for an additional five days during which time additional candidates shall be permitted to file for election. If the ballots have been printed at the time the board of elections receives notice of the candidate's death, the board shall determine whether there will be sufficient time to reprint them before the election if the filing period is reopened for three days. If the board determines that there will be sufficient time to reprint the ballots, it shall reopen the filing period for three days to allow other candidates to file for election.
(c) If the ballots have been printed at the time the board of elections receives notice of a candidate's death, and if the board determines that there is not enough time to reprint the ballots before the election if the filing period is reopened for three days, then, regardless of the number of candidates remaining for the office, the ballots shall not be reprinted and the name of the deceased candidate shall remain on the ballots. If a deceased candidate should poll the highest number of votes in the election, even though short of a majority the board of elections shall declare the office vacant and it shall be filled in the manner provided by law. If no candidate in an election receives a majority of the votes cast and the second highest vote is cast for a deceased candidate, no runoff election shall be held, but the board of elections shall declare the candidate receiving the highest vote to be elected. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 163 - Elections and Election Laws › Article 24 - Conduct of Municipal Elections. › § 163-295 - Municipal and special district elections; application of this Chapter 163.

§ 163-295. Municipal and special district elections; application of this Chapter 163.
To the extent that the laws, rules and procedures applicable to the conduct of primary, general or special elections by county boards of elections under Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11B, 12, 19 and 22 of this Chapter are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article, those laws, rules and procedures shall apply to municipal and special district elections and their conduct by the board of elections conducting those elections. The State Board of Elections shall have the same authority over all such elections as it has over county and State elections under those Articles. (1971, c. 835, s. 1; 1973, c. 793, s. 91; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 68; 2006-155, s. 5; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)