S.L. 1973-326

1973 SESSION

CHAPTER 326

SENATE BILL 443

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 323, PRIVATE LAWS OF 1899, THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF GRANITE FALLS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELECTION OF TOWN OFFICIALS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1. Section 3 of Chapter 323 Private Laws of 1899, as amended, is hereby rewritten to read:

"Sec. 3. Elections – Mayor, Commissioners, etc. In Granite Falls there shall be a Board of Commissioners composed of six members, and a mayor elected by the voters of the entire town as herein provided. The mayor shall be elected for a term of four years, and the Commissioners shall be elected for staggered terms of four years.

The municipal elections in Granite Falls shall be nonpartisan and decided by a simple plurality. No primary elections shall be held. The municipal elections shall be held and conducted by the Caldwell County Board of Elections pursuant to the applicable provisions of Articles 23 and 24 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

In the municipal elections to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1973, and every four years thereafter, the mayor shall be elected for a term of four years. The three candidates for Commissioner receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected for a term of four years, and the three candidates for Commissioner receiving the next highest number of votes shall serve for a term of two years. Thereafter as the terms expire, their successors shall be elected for terms of four years.

The mayor and members of the Board of Commissioners shall take office on the first Monday in December after their election.

All qualified voters in the Town of Granite Falls who reside therein shall be eligible for office, and to vote in the municipal elections. Candidates for the office of mayor or Commissioner shall file with the Town Clerk a petition of nomination signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the Town, and the petition must be filed by noon on the 15th day before the election.

A vacancy occurring in the office of mayor or on the Board of Commissioners shall be filled for the unexpired term as provided by general law.

A chief of police and a secretary and treasurer shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners at their first meeting after taking oath, and such persons shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors are appointed and qualified."

Sec. 2. The present mayor and members of the Board of Commissioners are hereby continued in office until their successors are elected and qualified under this act.

Sec. 3. All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Sec. 4. This act is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 7th day of May, 1973.