A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide that regular municipal elections for municipalities in henderson, polk, and rutherford counties are held in even‑numbered years and to extend the terms of the mayor in the town of tryon and all elected officers in the town of ruth from two to four years.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. MUNICIPALITIES IN HENDERSON COUNTY
SECTION 1.1.(a)  Chapter III of the Charter of the Village of Flat Rock, being Chapter 48 of the 1995 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"CHAPTER III.
"GOVERNING BODY.
…
"Sec. 3.3. Term of Office of Council Members. In the 1995 municipal election, two members shall be elected from each electoral district. In each electoral district in 1995, the person receiving the highest number of votes is elected to a four‑year term, and the person receiving the next highest number of votes is elected to a two‑year term. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, one Council member shall be elected from each electoral district for a four‑year term. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, one Council member shall be elected from each electoral district for a four‑year term.
"Sec. 3.4. Election of Mayor; Term of Office. The qualified voters of the entire Village elect the Mayor. A Mayor shall be elected in 2024 and quadrennially thereafter for a four‑year term."
SECTION 1.1.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Flat Rock in 2023. The terms of the three Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the three Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Village of Flat Rock in 2024.
SECTION 1.2.(a)  Chapter III of the Charter of the Town of Fletcher, being Chapter 44 of the 1989 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Chapter III.
"Governing Body.
…
"Sec. 3.3. Term of office of Council members. Members of the Town Council are elected to four‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two members of the Council shall be elected for four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two members of the Council shall be elected for four‑year terms.
"Sec. 3.4. Selection of Mayor; term of office. The qualified voters of the entire town nominate and elect the Mayor. A mayor shall be elected in 2026 and quadrennially thereafter for a four‑year term."
SECTION 1.2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Fletcher in 2023. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Fletcher in 2024.
SECTION 1.3.(a)  Section 3.3 of the Charter of the City of Hendersonville, being Chapter 874 of the 1971 Session Laws, as amended by City Ordinance No. 1995‑06‑08 adopted on June 8, 1995, and Section 2 of S.L. 2016‑15, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.3. Terms; Qualifications; Vacancies. (a)  The members of the City Council shall serve four‑year staggered terms and the Mayor shall serve for a term of four years or shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members and a Mayor shall be elected to serve four‑year terms.
(b)	No person shall be eligible to be a candidate or be elected as a member of the City Council, or to serve in such capacity, unless the person is a resident and a qualified voter of the City.
(c)	In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor, the remaining members of the Council shall by majority vote choose from their own members the Mayor's successor for the unexpired term. Any vacancy in the office of Council member shall be filled by majority vote of the Mayor and the remaining members of the Council until the next election."
SECTION 1.3.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Hendersonville in 2023. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Hendersonville in 2024.
SECTION 1.4.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Laurel Park, being S.L. 2000‑8, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.
"Section 3.1.  Regular Municipal Elections.  Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in each even‑numbered year in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. Elections shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis and the results determined using the nonpartisan plurality method as provided in G.S. 163‑292.
"Section 3.2.  Election of Mayor.  A Mayor shall be elected in the regular municipal election in 2024 and quadrennially thereafter.
"Section 3.3.  Election of Commissioners.  Except for the filing of vacancies as provided for in G.S. 160A‑63, two Commissioners shall be elected at the regular municipal election in 2024 and quadrennially thereafter and two Commissioners shall be elected at the regular municipal election in 2026 and quadrennially thereafter. In the regular municipal election in 2024, and in each regular municipal election thereafter, persons shall be elected to serve four‑year terms in those positions whose terms are then expiring.
…."
SECTION 1.4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Laurel Park in 2023. The terms of the two Commissioners and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Commissioners serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Laurel Park in 2024.
SECTION 1.5.(a)  Section 3.3 of the Charter of the Town of Mills River, being S.L. 2003‑242, reads as rewritten:
"Section 3.3.  Manner of Electing Town Council; Terms of Office. Two of the Council members shall be elected at large from the residents of the Town and three shall be elected from each of Districts 1, 2, and 3 respectively, as provided in Article IV of this Charter. The qualified voters of the entire Town shall elect all the members of the Town Council, and, except as provided in this section, they shall serve four‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two members shall be elected at large and they shall serve for four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, one Council member shall be elected from each of Districts 1, 2, and 3 respectively and they shall serve for four‑year terms."
SECTION 1.5.(b)  Section 4.2 of the Charter of the Town of Mills River, being S.L. 2003‑242, reads as rewritten:
"Section 4.2.  Regular Municipal Elections; District Boundaries. Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in each even‑numbered year in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. For purpose of the election of Town Council members, the Town is divided into three geographical subdivisions, known as districts, and all qualified voters of the Town may cast a vote for each seat. A written description or map showing the current boundaries of the three election districts shall be maintained in the office of the Town Clerk and shall be available for public inspection. The district boundaries may be amended periodically pursuant to the provisions of general law. Whenever areas are hereafter annexed and made part of the Town, the Town Council shall, by ordinance, redefine and rearrange the three election districts so as to include the annexed areas. The ordinance shall be adopted at least seven days prior to the opening of candidate filing for the municipal election next succeeding the date of any annexation and shall provide for three election districts of approximately equal population. In redefining and rearranging the election district lines, the Town Council shall follow as nearly as practical existing district lines."
SECTION 1.5.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Mills River in 2023. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Mills River in 2024.

PART II. MUNICIPALITIES IN POLK COUNTY
SECTION 2.1.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Columbus, being Chapter 46 of the 1985 Session Laws, as amended by Town Ordinance No. 2003‑2‑18, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS
"Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections. Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in each even‑numbered year in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and Council members shall be elected by the voters of the Town on an at‑large basis, by the nonpartisan plurality method of election.
"Section 3.2. Election of the Council Members. The Council members serving on the date of ratification of this Charter may continue to serve until expiration of their terms, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Council members shall continue to be elected and to serve on a staggered term system. At each such election the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall serve for a term of four years, and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes shall serve for a period of two years. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members shall be elected to serve four‑year terms.
"Section 3.3. Election of the Mayor. The Mayor serving on the date of ratification of this Charter may continue to serve until the expiration of his or her term, or until a successor is elected and qualified. At the regular municipal election in 2024 and biennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor to serve as provided in Article II of this Charter.
…."
SECTION 2.1.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Columbus in 2023. The terms of the two Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Columbus in 2024.
SECTION 2.2.(a)  Section 1 of the Charter of the City of Saluda, being Chapter 123 of the Private Laws of 1933, reads as rewritten:
"Section 1.  Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections in the City of Saluda shall be held in even‑numbered years in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Board of Commissioners for the City of Saluda shall consist of four members elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two Commissioners shall be elected for four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two Commissioners shall be elected for four‑year terms."
SECTION 2.2.(b)  Section 2 of the Charter of the City of Saluda, being Chapter 123 of the Private Laws of 1933, reads as rewritten:
"Section 2.  The mayor of the City of Saluda shall be elected for a term of four years. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, a Mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term."
SECTION 2.2.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Saluda in 2023. The terms of the two Commissioners serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Commissioners and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the City of Saluda in 2024.
SECTION 2.3.(a)  Section 3.3 of the Charter of the Town of Tryon, being Chapter 441 of the 1971 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2013‑261, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3.3. Terms; Qualifications; Vacancies. (a)  Except as provided in Section 4.1, the Mayor and members of the Board of Commissioners shall serve for terms of four years beginning the day and hour of the organizational meeting following their election, as established by ordinance in accordance with this Charter; provided, they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualify.
(b)	No person shall be eligible to be a candidate or be elected as Mayor or as a member of the Board of Commissioners or to serve in such capacity, unless he or she is a resident and a qualified voter of the Town.
(c)	In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Commissioner, the Board of Commissioners shall by majority vote appoint some qualified person to fill the same for the remainder of the unexpired term."
SECTION 2.3.(b)  Article IV of the Charter of the Town of Tryon, being Chapter 441 of the 1971 Session Laws, as amended by Town Ordinance No. 2003‑7 adopted on 8‑19‑2003 and S.L. 2013‑261, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE IV. REGULAR ELECTION PROCEDURE
"Sec. 4.1. Regular Elections.
(a)	Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held biennially in even‑numbered years. In each biennial election, there shall be elected two commissioners.
(b)	Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, in 2003 only, there shall be elected three commissioners. The candidates for commissioner who receive the largest and second largest number of votes shall each be elected for a term of four years, and the candidate for commissioner who receives the third largest number of votes shall be elected for a term of two years. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two Commissioners shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two Commissioners shall be elected to serve four‑year terms.
"Sec. 4.2. Voting. Each voter shall be entitled to vote for one candidate for Mayor and for as many candidates for Commissioner as there are offices to be filled. The candidate for Mayor who receives the largest number of votes cast for Mayor shall be declared elected. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, a Mayor shall be elected to serve a four‑year term.
…."
SECTION 2.3.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Tryon in 2023. The terms of the two Commissioners and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Commissioners serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Tryon in 2024.

PART III. MUNICIPALITIES IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY
SECTION 3.1.(a)  Section 3‑3 of the Charter of Chimney Rock Village, being Chapter 444 of the 1991 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3‑3. Term of Office of Council Members. Members of the Council are elected to four‑year terms. At the initial election in 1991, the three highest vote getters shall be elected to four‑year terms and the next two highest vote getters shall be elected to two‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two members of the Council shall be elected for four‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, three members of the Council shall be elected for four‑year terms."
SECTION 3.1.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in Chimney Rock Village in 2023. The terms of the three Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in Chimney Rock Village in 2024.
SECTION 3.2.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Ellenboro, being Chapter 425 of the 1983 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2007‑310, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III.
"ELECTIONS.
"Sec. 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town every two years in even‑numbered years and shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and members of the Council shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality method of election.
"Sec. 3.2. Election of Council Members. All council members shall be nominated and voted upon by the voters of the Town voting at large. At the regular municipal election in 2007, the persons receiving the two highest numbers of votes are elected to four‑year terms, and the three persons receiving the next highest numbers of votes are elected to two‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two members are elected for four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, three members are elected for four‑year terms.
"Sec. 3.3. Election of the Mayor. At the regular municipal election in 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor to serve a term of four years. The Mayor shall be elected by the voters of the Town voting at large."
SECTION 3.2.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Ellenboro in 2023. The terms of the two Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the three Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Ellenboro in 2024.
SECTION 3.3.(a)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Forest City, being Chapter 209 of the 1981 Session Laws, as amended by Town Ordinance No. 465 adopted on 11‑04‑2002 and No. 614 adopted on 06‑08‑2012, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III.
"ELECTIONS.
"Sec. 3.1. Regular municipal elections; conduct.–Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town every two years in even‑numbered years, and shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and members of the Board shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality election method.
"Sec. 3.2. Election of the Mayor.–In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor to serve a term of four years. The Mayor shall be elected by the qualified voters of the Town voting at large.
"Sec. 3.3. Election of Board members.–At the regular municipal election to be held in 2003, the three candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be elected for four‑year terms, while the two candidates who receive the next highest number of votes shall be elected to two‑year terms. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, three members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two members of the Board of Commissioners shall be elected to serve four‑year terms."
SECTION 3.3.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Forest City in 2023. The terms of the three Board members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Board members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Forest City in 2024.
SECTION 3.4.(a)  Article II of the Charter of the Town of Lake Lure, being Chapter 194 of the 1987 Session Laws, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE II.  GOVERNING BODY
…
"Section 2.3  Term of Office of Board Members.  Members of the Board are elected to four‑year staggered terms. The Board members serving on the date of ratification of this Charter shall serve until the expiration of their terms. In the municipal election in 2024 and every four years thereafter, two members of the Board shall be elected. In the municipal election in 2026 and every four years thereafter, two members of the Board shall be elected.
"Section 2.4.  Election of Mayor; Term of Office.  The qualified voters of the entire Town elect the Mayor. In 2024 and biennially thereafter, a Mayor shall be elected to serve a two‑year term. The Mayor shall have the right to vote on matters before the Board only when there are equal numbers of votes in the affirmative and in the negative."
SECTION 3.4.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Lake Lure in 2023. The terms of the two Board members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Board members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Lake Lure in 2024.
SECTION 3.5.(a)  Section 3 of the Charter of the Town of Ruth, being Chapter 55 of the Private Laws of 1893, as amended by Chapter 454 of the Private Laws of 1907 and Chapter 53 of the Public Laws of 1939, reads as rewritten:
"Sec. 3. That the officers shall consist of a mayor, two commissioners and a marshal; and the commissioners shall have the right to appoint a secretary and treasurer. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, a mayor and two commissioners shall be elected to each serve a four‑year term."
SECTION 3.5.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Ruth in 2023. The terms of the two Commissioners and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Ruth in 2024.
SECTION 3.6.(a)  Article II of the Charter of the Town of Rutherfordton, being Chapter 350 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE II. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
…
"Section 2.2. Council; Composition; Terms of Office. The Town Council shall be composed of four members, each of whom shall be elected by and from the qualified voters of the Town for terms of four years each in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter, provided they shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. In 2024 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members shall be elected to serve four‑year terms. In 2026 and quadrennially thereafter, two Council members shall be elected to serve four‑year terms.
"Section 2.3. Mayor; Term of Office; Duties. The Mayor shall be elected by and from the qualified voters of the Town in the manner provided by Article III of this Charter to serve for a term of four years, or until his successor is elected and qualified. The Mayor shall be the official head of the Town government and shall preside at all meetings of the Council. He shall have the right to vote only when there are an equal number of votes in the affirmative and the negative on any motion before the Council. The Mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as presently are or hereafter may be conferred upon him by the General Statutes of North Carolina, by this Charter, and by the ordinances of the Town.
…."
SECTION 3.6.(b)  Article III of the Charter of the Town of Rutherfordton, being Chapter 350 of the 1979 Session Laws, as amended, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE III. ELECTIONS.
"Section 3.1. Regular Municipal Elections; Conduct and Method of Election. Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held in the Town every two years in even‑numbered years and shall be conducted in accordance with the uniform municipal election laws of North Carolina. The Mayor and members of the Council shall be elected according to the nonpartisan plurality method.
"Section 3.2. Election of the Mayor. At the regular municipal election in 2026, and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Mayor to serve a term of four years. The Mayor shall be elected by all the voters of the Town voting at large."
SECTION 3.6.(c)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Rutherfordton in 2023. The terms of the two Council members serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. The terms of the two Council members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2025 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Rutherfordton in 2024.
SECTION 3.7.(a)  Section 4.1 of the Charter of the Town of Spindale, being Chapter 378 of the 1975 Session Laws, as amended by S.L. 2006‑83, reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE IV. Elections.
"Sec. 4.1. Regular municipal elections. Beginning in 2024, regular municipal elections shall be held biennially in even‑numbered years on the day set by general law for municipal elections. In the 2024 regular municipal elections and biennially thereafter, there shall be elected a mayor for a term of two years. In the 2024 regular municipal election and biennially thereafter, five board members shall be elected to serve terms of two years each."
SECTION 3.7.(b)  No municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Spindale in 2023. The terms of the five Board members and the Mayor serving on the effective date of this act whose terms are set to expire in 2023 shall be extended by one year. Regular municipal elections shall be conducted in the Town of Spindale in 2024.

PART IV. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 4.1.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to elections held on or after that date.