Skip to main content
NCSBE logo NCSBE

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Registering
  • Voting
  • For Candidates
    For Candidates
    • Running for Office
    • Filing for Candidacy
    • Terms of Office
    • Candidate Challenges
    • Withdrawal of Candidacy
    • Petitions
  • Results & Data
  • Campaign Finance
  • About Elections
  • About
  • Contact
  • Media
  • nc.gov
ELECTIONS 2022 View unofficial results on the Election Results Dashboard.
NCSBE »   For Candidates »   Petitions »   All Other Petitions

All Other Petitions

General Overview

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 Statutes
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. N.C.G.S. § 159-60
For an election on a taxation issue relating to the public school system, as described in 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 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. Article 36 of 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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).

Related Content

Recall and Other Special Elections (PDF)

Petitions

  • Petition Fact Sheets
  • Petitions in Lieu of Filing Fee
  • Unaffiliated Candidate Petitions
  • Write-in Candidate Petitions
  • Petition for Alcoholic Beverage (ABC) Election
  • Petition for Recognition as Political Party
  • Political Party Endorsement for President
  • All Other Petitions

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

How can we make this page better for you?

Back to top

Contact

North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE)

PO Box 27255
Raleigh NC 27611-7255

Email: elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov
Phone: (919) 814-0700
Fax: (919) 715-0135

Receive Updates

Subscribe to receive press releases and meeting notices.

Indicates required field

Please enter your email address in format name@domain.com

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Tweets by @NCSBE

Voter Tools

Voter Search
County Boards of Elections Information
BallotTrax (Absentee Ballot Tracking)
Voter Registration Statistics
View all tools and forms

County Boards Resources

Resources for County Boards
NCSBE Public Files (FTP)

Work with Us

Career Opportunities

  • Translate Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
https://www.ncsbe.gov/candidates/petitions/all-other-petitions