BY MILES LAYTON

RALEIGH — Municipal election season officially begins Monday, July 7, when candidates across the Northeast North Carolina and across Tarheel country can start filing to run for local partisan and nonpartisan offices.

The candidate filing period opens at the start of business Monday and runs through noon on Friday, July 18, unless otherwise specified in a municipality’s charter or by local session law. The elections will determine leadership in towns, cities, and some special-purpose districts statewide, with seats open for mayor, town council, and other local offices.

Filing takes place at each county’s board of elections, not through the State Board of Elections in Raleigh. Prospective candidates must file a notice of candidacy and pay the appropriate filing fee, which varies by municipality and office.

Any qualified voter, who is at least 21-years-old, may be elected to a public office. However, for a municipal office, the candidate must be a registered voter in that municipality or the municipal district.

While presidential and congressional elections tend to dominate headlines, municipal elections typically see much lower voter turnout — yet they often have the most immediate impact on residents’ daily lives. Local government officials set property tax rates, approve public safety budgets, oversee school and utility funding, and shape land use policies that affect home values and development.

Running for office or voting in municipal elections is one of the most direct ways citizens can shape their communities.

This is an important opportunity for people who want to serve their community at the local level, so if you want to make a difference in your town or city, the time to act is now.

Worth noting, municipal election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4 with the polls being open between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The voter registration deadline is by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10

Where and How to File

Candidates must submit their notice of candidacy in person at their respective county board of elections office. No notices or filing fees will be accepted by mail at the state level.

Local elections officials urge all potential candidates to reach out in advance to confirm eligibility requirements, available offices, and filing fees.

Candidates must also be registered voters in the jurisdiction where they intend to run and meet any additional residency or age requirements as outlined in North Carolina law or local ordinances.

For most contests, the process is straightforward. Much like anything else, candidates should bring valid identification and payment for the filing fee, and that they arrive early, especially during the final days of the filing window.

Deadline to Withdraw

For candidates who change their minds after filing, the deadline to withdraw a notice of candidacy and receive a refund of the filing fee is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15.

After that, names will appear on the ballot unless a candidate withdraws under special legal provisions such as illness or disqualification.

Contests on the Ballot

The 2025 election cycle includes both partisan and nonpartisan races, depending on the municipality. While most towns and cities in North Carolina hold nonpartisan elections, some—particularly larger municipalities—conduct partisan races where candidates’ political party affiliations appear on the ballot.

The types of offices up for election vary by location but typically include:

• Mayor
• Town or City Council
• Sanitary District Boards
• Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors (in some counties)
• Other special district boards, depending on local governance structures

Municipal elections are critical to everyday governance, often affecting issues like zoning, water and sewer services, parks and recreation, local police, and infrastructure improvements.

For more information about what offices are up for election, required qualifications, or filing procedures, residents are encouraged to contact their county board of elections or visit ncsbe.gov.