All Other Petitions
Requirements and Timeline
The chart below shows information about other types of petitions, including local petitions available in North Carolina.
| Petition Type | Number of Required Signatures | When Are Petitions Due? | Governing Statute(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For an election on a unit of local government’s proposed bond order. | 10% of registered N.C. voters in the county or municipality in which the election is called. | Must be filed with the issuing unit’s clerk within 30 days after the publication of the bond order. | Petition for referendum on bond issue (N.C.G.S. § 159-60) |
| For an election on a taxation issue relating to the public school system, as described in Purposes for which elections may be called (N.C.G.S. § 115C-501). | On questions of annexing areas to the city administrative unit: a majority (50%+1) of registered N.C. voters who have resided in the area adjacent to the city school administrative unit for the preceding 12 months. On all other issues enumerated in Purposes for which elections may be called (N.C.G.S. § 115C-501): 25% of registered N.C. voters who reside in the local school administrative unit. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. | Voted Tax Supplements for School Purposes (Article 36, Chapter 115C of the N.C. General Statutes) |
| For an election on an amendment to a municipal charter. | 10% of the registered N.C. voters in the municipality or 5,000, whichever is less. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. | Initiative petitions for charter amendments (N.C.G.S. § 160A-104) |
| For an election on municipal incorporation. | 15% of the registered N.C. voters in the proposed area or at least 25 registered voters of that area. | The county board of elections must return the petition to the petitioner within 15 working days of receipt, tolled for any period of time that is either two weeks before or one week after a primary or election. The petition must then be submitted to the Municipal Incorporations Subcommittee of the N.C. General Assembly 60 days prior to the convening of the next regular session of the General Assembly. | Petition (N.C.G.S. § 120-163) |
| For municipal annexation. | All real property owners in the area proposed to be annexed. | No election associated with this process. Submit petition to the governing board of the municipality. | Annexation by petition (N.C.G.S. § 160A-31) |
| For a special election to decide whether to levy a 1% sales and use tax. | 15% of the total number of registered votes cast in the county at the most recent election for Governor. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. | County election as to adoption of local sales and use tax (N.C.G.S. § 105-465) |
| For a special election to determine if a sales and use tax levy should be repealed. | 15% of the total number of registered votes cast in the county at the most recent election for Governor. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review | Repeal of levy (N.C.G.S. § 105-473) |
| For the incorporation of a sanitary district. | 51% of the property owners in the area within a proposed district. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. Petition should be filed with the board of commissioners of the county where the majority of the proposed district resides. | Procedure for incorporating district (N.C.G.S. § 130A-48) |
| For a special election regarding the incorporation of a fire district. | 35% of the property owners in the area of the proposed district. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. Petition should be filed with the county board of commissioners. | Election to be held upon petition of voters (N.C.G.S. § 69-25.1) |
| For a special election to abolish a fire district. | 15% of the property owners in the area of the proposed district. | No date set by statute, but it is recommended that the petition is submitted several months in advance of the planned election date to allow review. Petition should be filed with the county board of commissioners. | Means of abolishing tax district (N.C.G.S. § 69-25.10) |
| For all other types of local petitions. | Governed by statute, municipal charter, or local act. Contact your city or county government to learn more. | Governed by municipal charter or local act. Contact your city or county government to learn more. | Information on special local elections, such as initiatives, referendums, and recalls (PDF) |