163-290. Alternative methods of determining the results of municipal elections.

(a) Each city, town, village, and special district in this State shall operate under one of the following alternative methods of nominating candidates for and determining the results of its elections:

(1) The partisan primary and election method set out in G.S. 163-291.

(2) The nonpartisan primary and election method set out in G.S. 163-294.

(3) The nonpartisan plurality method set out in G.S. 163-292.

(4) The nonpartisan election and runoff election method set out in G.S. 163-293.

(b) Each city whose charter provides for partisan municipal elections as of January 1, 1972, shall operate under the partisan primary and election method until such time as its charter is amended to provide for nonpartisan elections. Each city, town, village, and special district whose elections are by charter or general law nonpartisan may select the nonpartisan primary and election method, the nonpartisan plurality method, or the nonpartisan election and runoff election method by resolution of the municipal governing board adopted and filed with the State Board of Elections not later than 5:00 P.M. Monday, January 31, 1972, except that a city whose charter provides for a nonpartisan primary as of January 1, 1972, may not select the plurality method unless its charter is so amended. If the municipal governing board does not exercise its option to select another choice before that time, the municipality shall operate under the method specified in the following table:

Cities, towns and villages of

less than 5,000 Plurality

Cities, towns and villages of

5,000 or more Election and Runoff Election

Special districts Plurality

After January 31, 1972, each city, town and village may change its method of election from one to another of the methods set out in subsection (a) by act of the General Assembly or in the manner provided by law for amendment of its charter.