Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition adds the following content. Amends the act’s titles.

Section 2

Amends Section 2 of the Bolivia Town Charter to require that municipal elections be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election. Requires that the mayor and aldermen be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Changes the terms of office for the mayor and aldermen from two to four years. Requires elections to be held and conducted acceding to the uniform municipal election laws in GS Chapter 163.

Prohibits holding elections in Bolivia in 2027. Extends the terms of office of the mayor and four aldermen serving on the section’s effective date whose terms expire in 2027 by one year. Resumes regular elections in Bolivia in even-numbered years beginning in 2028.

Section 3

Makes the following changes to Sections 4 and 5 of the Town Charter of Belville (SL 1977-84). Directs that regular municipal elections be conducted in even-numbered (was, odd-numbered) years at the time of the general election. Requires the mayor and board of commissioners to be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis according to GS 163-292. Extends the mayor’s term from two to four years. Removes outdated language and makes technical and clarifying changes.

Specifies that regular municipal elections will not be held in Belville in 2027. Extends the terms of the mayor and two commissioners whose terms are set to expire in 2027 and 2029 by one year. Restarts regular municipal elections in 2028, to take place biennially in even-numbered years. Instructs that the mayor will begin to be elected for four-year terms starting in 2028.

Section 4

Amends New Bern’s Charter, SL 2016-41, as follows. Requires regular municipal elections to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election. Requires the mayor and members of the board of aldermen to be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality basis according to GS 163-292.

Prohibits holding elections in New Bern in 2029. Extends the terms of office of the mayor and six aldermen serving on the section’s effective date whose terms expire in 2029 by one year. Resumes regular elections in New Bern in even-numbered years beginning in 2030.

Adds new Section 3.6 requiring the remaining members of the board of aldermen to appoint a person to fill a vacancy within 90 days; requires a special election if they fail to do so.

Section 5

Amends Everetts’ Charter, SL 1893-321 by adding that the Town’s officers consist of a mayor and three commissioners who will serve four-year terms. Requires elections to be conducted on a nonpartisan plurality basis under GS 163-292. Repeals Sections 1 (requiring biennial election of a mayor and three commissions for two year terms), 2 (specifying that the board of commissioners consists of three members), and 3 (requiring elections to be conducted under the nonpartisan plurality method and the results determined as provided in GS 163-292).

Section 6

Amends Snow Hill’s Charter, as follows. Requires municipal election to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election. Requires the mayor and board of commissioners to be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis in accordance with GS 163-292. Specifies that commissioners are elected for staggered terms. Repeal Section 3.2, which requires election of a mayor and setting out staggered terms for commissioners.

Specifies that regular municipal elections will not be held in Snow Hill in 2027. Extends the terms of the two commissioners whose terms are set to expire in 2027 by one year. Extends the terms of the mayor and three commissioners whose terms are set to expire in 2029 by one year. Restarts regular municipal elections in 2028, to take place biennially in even-numbered years.

Section 7

Amends Columbus’ Charter, SL 1985-46, so that the mayor is elected for four year terms instead of two year terms. Extends the mayor’s term that is set to expire in 2026 by two years.

Section 8

Amends Rural Hall’s Charter, SL 1973-1100, as amended, by adding that a candidate seeking nomination by petition must comply with Article 11 of GS Chapter 163, except that date and time for filing must be done according to GS 163-122(a)(3). Effective January 1, 2027, and applies to elections held in 2028 and thereafter.

Requires vacancies in the council to be done by recommendation by the county executive committee of a political party when the vacating official was elected as the nominee of a political party; requires the recommendation to be made within 30 days of the vacancy and voting is restricted to committee members residing within Rural Hall’s corporate limits.

Sets out the deadline for candidates seeking nomination by petition for the 2026 election only.

Section 9.1

Amends Section 3 and Section 4 (SL 1907-230, as amended) of the Town of Brookford’s Charter as follows. Lists the officers of Brookford as the mayor and four aldermen (was, initially mayor and three commissioners, and other appointed officers and agents). Specifies that the mayor’s term is four years and the terms of office for the aldermen are four years, staggered. Directs that the town officers are to be elected at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Removes outdated language and makes technical changes.

Repeals SL 1961-109, concerning the election and terms of the mayor and aldermen of Brookford.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the two aldermen serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and two aldermen serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.2

Amends Catawba’s Charter, SL 1893-274, as amended, by adding that Catawba’s governing board consists of a mayor and four council members who serve staggered four-year terms. Requires elections to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election. Requires the mayor and council to be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis, with elections conducted according to the uniform municipal law of GS Chapter 163. Repeals Section 3 (concerning the mayor, commissioners, and marshal) and 4 (concerning the election of officers).

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the mayor and two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.3

Amends Claremont’s Charter, SL 1893-274, as amended, by adding that Claremont’s governing board consists of a mayor and five council members who serve staggered four-year terms. Requires elections to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election. Requires the mayor and council to be elected on a nonpartisan plurality basis, with elections conducted according to the uniform municipal law of GS Chapter 163. Repeals Section 3 (concerning the mayor, commissioners, and constable) and 4 (concerning the election of officers). Repeals SL 1961-76 (concerning the election of the mayor and aldermen), SL 1975-97 (stagging the terms of specified aldermen), and SL 2005-54 (appears to mean only Section 2, which changed the mayor’s term from two years to four years).

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.4

Amends Section 4.01 of the Charter of the City of Conover (SL 1977-78, as amended), as follows. Directs that regular municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election in even-numbered years with elections for mayor and council members held on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Makes technical and conforming changes. Removes outdated language.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.5

Amends Section 2.01 of the Charter of the City of Hickory (SL 1961-323, as amended), as follows. Requires aldermen to each reside in and represent a ward; requires candidates for alderman to be a qualified voter and resident of the ward they seek to be elected to. Directs that regular municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election on even-numbered years. Requires the nonpartisan primary to be held on the date in GS 163-1 and requires candidates to file notice under the schedule in GS 163-106.2. Makes technical and conforming changes. Removes outdated language.

Repeals Sections 2.51 through 2.58 (concerning nominations and primary) and section 2.71 through 2.74 (concerning general elections) of the charter.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.6

Amends Long View’s Charter, SL 1907-430, as amended, as follows. Specifies that the town’s governing body consists of a mayor and five aldermen, serving staggered four-year terms. Requires elections to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election with elections for mayor and council members held on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Requires elections to be conducted according to the uniform municipal election laws in GS Chapter 163. Requires the aldermen to be elected from wards, with each alderman residing in and representing one ward, but nominated and elected at large. Requires a candidate to be a qualified voter residing in the ward in which they seek to be elected.

Repeals Section 3, concerning the election of the mayor, aldermen, and marshal. Repeals SL 1955-789, which established wards and set out the terms of the mayor and aldermen.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the three aldermen serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the mayor and three aldermen serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.7

Amends Maiden’s Charter, SL 1883-103, as amended, as follows. Specifies that the town’s governing body consists of a mayor and five council members. The mayor serves a two-year term and council member serving staggered four and two year terms. Requires elections to be held in even-numbered years at the time of the general election with elections for mayor and council members held on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Requires elections to be conducted according to the uniform municipal election laws in GS Chapter 163.

Repeals Section 4, concerning the election of officers.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the mayor and two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will be extended by one year. The terms of office for the two council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2029 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 9.8

Amends Article III of the City of Newton’s Charter (SL 1989-1042, as amended) as follows. Directs that regular municipal elections will be held at the time of the general election in even-numbered years. Requires elections to be conducted according to the uniform municipal election laws in GS Chapter 163. Makes technical and conforming changes. Removes outdated language.

Specifies that no municipal elections will be conducted in 2027 and that the terms of office for the mayor and three council members serving on the effective date of this section whose terms are set to expire in 2027 will 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 will be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections will resume in even-numbered years beginning in 2028 with the same staggering of terms as when elections were conducted in the odd-numbered years.

Section 10

Amends Conetoe’s Charter, SL 1887-154, to allow the mayor to vote on any question before the board (was, mayor may only vote in the case of a tie).

Section 11

Amends SL 2015-35 by amending the process for filling vacancies on the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education so that if vacancies are not filled within 60 days, the superintendent must report the vacancy to the clerk of superior court who must appoint a person to fill the vacancy within 10 calendar says. Sets out requirements for the appointee.