NC S237

Modifies the process for filling Winston-Salem City Council vacancies when the unexpired term is 12 months or more by requiring a special primary and general election instead of appointment by party committee.

Forsyth County Board of Elections shall conduct the special primary and election using the partisan primary method, with candidate filing opening within 14 business days after resolution adoption and remaining open for 14 business days.

Primary election must be held no later than 60 calendar days after the filing period closes, and general election no later than 60 calendar days after the primary, with absentee ballots and write-in candidate options available.

Vacancies with less than 12 months remaining in the term continue to be filled by mayoral appointment upon recommendation of the relevant political party's executive committee.

City Council shall reimburse Forsyth County Board of Elections for actual costs of administering the primary and election; allows petition process to trigger elections for seats vacated in 2018 or 2019 that were previously filled by appointment.