Bill Summary

• Limits special elections to occur only on: the date of the primary election in even-numbered years, the date of the general election, or the date of the municipal general election.

• Creates exceptions allowing special elections at other times for public health or safety emergencies (including sheriff vacancies and bond referendums for health/sanitation systems) and for municipal incorporation or recall elections governed by local act.

• Allows municipal elections to fill vacancies in office under local act if more than six months remain in the term; if less than six months remain, the governing board may fill the vacancy without an election.

• Preserves the authority of courts and the State Board to order elections at times they determine under Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

• Makes conforming changes to numerous statutes governing referendums and special elections (bond elections, alcoholic beverage elections, airport district elections, fire district elections, sales tax elections, school elections, and others) to reference the new unified special election date requirements in G.S. 163-287.

• Effective January 1, 2014, for all special elections held on or after that date.