Running for Municipal Office

Overview

Do you want to run for municipal office? On this page, you will find candidate filing timelines and dates for the 2021 municipal elections.

Want to learn more about office types? For information about the roles in local government, visit City and County Elective Offices | UNC School of Government.

For filing details, see Filing for Candidacy.

Running for Municipal Office in 2021

Because 2021 is a year following the federal census, some municipalities must redistrict to correct population imbalances. Therefore, filing periods and election dates for district-based contests are subject to change as they are contingent on the timeliness of the U.S. Census Bureau releasing data and state and local governments adopting redistricting plans based on that data. Please check back in late June to confirm district-based contest dates.

Find more information about filing periods and election dates below, or to view your filing period and election date(s) sorted by county and contest: Launch the municipal candidate tool.

Filing Periods

In 2021, there are two scheduled filing periods for municipal elections by contest type:

• Municipalities in which there are no district contests: Noon on Friday, July 2 to noon on Friday, July 16, 2021.
• Municipalities in which there are district contests: Noon on Monday, July 26 to noon on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021.*

*Applies if any office requires residency in a municipal district or ward.

How are the filing periods for the 2021 municipal elections determined? They are set per N.C.G.S. § 163-294.2(c).

Election Dates

In 2021, there are three municipal election dates:

• Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021
• Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
• Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

How are municipal election dates determined? They are set according to the election method as outlined by N.C. General Statutes, a local act of the General Assembly, and/or municipal charters. To learn about election methods, see Types of Elections: Municipal Elections.

Learn More

See seven facts about running as a municipal candidate in 2021 on Fact Sheet: Running for 2021 Municipal Offices.