Types of Elections

General Overview

The North Carolina State Board of Elections helps counties conduct elections across the state every year. These elections can be broadly divided into two categories: statewide general elections and municipal elections.

Statewide General Elections

Statewide general elections take place every two years on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November. This means they can occur as early as November 2 or as late as November 8, depending on when the first Monday falls. Statewide general elections always occur in even-numbered years. Statewide primaries occur on the Tuesday following the first Monday in March preceding the November general election.

Although the presidency is the most notable contest voted on during statewide general elections, the North Carolina General Statutes outline other national, state, and county offices to be voted on during a statewide general election. Those offices are:

Office

Term length

United States Senator

6 years

United States Representative

2 years

Governor

4 years

Lieutenant Governor

4 years

Secretary of State

4 years

State Auditor

4 years

State Treasurer

4 years

Superintendent of Public Instruction

4 years

Attorney General

4 years

Commissioner of Agriculture

4 years

Commissioner of Labor

4 years

Commissioner of Insurance

4 years

All other state officers whose terms are not specified by law

2 years

Office

Term Length

North Carolina State Senator

2 years

North Carolina State Representative

2 years

Court of Appeals Judge

8 years

Superior Court Judge

8 years

District Court Judge

4 years

District Attorney

4 years

County Commissioner

Varies by county

Clerk of Superior Court

4 years

Register of Deeds

4 years

Sheriff

4 years

All other elected county officials

Varies

Municipal Elections

During odd-numbered years, most municipal elections are held to elect governing officials (mayor, city council, town council, etc.) of cities, villages and towns. Not all municipalities will have an election in a given odd-numbered year. A few municipalities elect their officials in even-numbered years.

Although county boards of election conduct municipal elections, only residents of the municipality may vote in the election. These voters must have lived in the municipality for at least 30 days before Election Day.

North Carolina law allows for four different types of municipal election methods. These four methods are described in Chapter 163, Article 24 of the North Carolina General Statutes. A municipality’s chosen method of election is codified in its charter but must be one of the four types outlined in State law.

Election Method

Description

Governing Statute

Partisan primary and election method

This method is similar to the primary and statewide general election. If more candidates file for a party nomination than the number of seats for that contest, then these candidates must compete in a partisan primary election that is held in September. If there is no clear winner in a primary contest, there may need to be a second primary that will be held in October. The general election (with one candidate from each party per seat on the ballot) is held in November.

N.C.G.S.  § 163-291

Nonpartisan primary and election method

These contests are non-partisan, which means that each candidate's party affiliation will not be printed on the ballot. If there are more than two candidates for a single office or the number of candidates for a group of offices is greater than twice the number of seats to be elected, there will be a primary election. The primary will trim the number of candidates down to twice the number of seats. For example, if 7 candidates are running for 2 seats, the top 4 vote-getters in the primary would advance to the general election in November. If needed, the primary would occur in October before the general election in November.

N.C.G.S.  § 163-294

Nonpartisan plurality method

This is the most common municipal election method. All candidates for a position are listed on the ballot, without party affiliation. The top vote-getters are elected, regardless of whether or not they received a majority of votes cast. If the contest is for more than one seat, the person or persons receiving the next-highest vote totals are also elected. For example, if 7 candidates are running for 2 seats, the candidates that finish first and second are elected. The general election is held in November and there is no primary.

N.C.G.S.  § 163-292

Nonpartisan election and runoff method

This method is largely the same as the nonpartisan plurality method, with one important distinction. If a winner in these elections does not receive a majority (50%+) of the votes, the candidate who came in second is allowed to ask for a runoff. In these runoff elections, all candidates are eliminated except the plurality winner and the runner-up. Those two then run head-to-head in the runoff, with the winner being given the seat. The election is held in October, and any runoff elections are held in November.

N.C.G.S.  § 163-293

See your county board’s website for more details. 

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