HB 3: Various Local Election Changes II. - North Carolina

Ratified → SL 2025-13 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally ratified and assigned session law number 2025-13, indicating it has become official state law. A minor numbering change occurred from H3-v-5 to H3-v-6, likely reflecting an amendment version update. The text also shows a minor typo correction where 'Township Township' appears to be a duplicate word that needs fixing.

Scope change

No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability remains the same with only formal ratification status updated.

TECHNICAL

Bill title changed from 'Ratified Bill' to 'Session Law 2025-13' to reflect official adoption and assign a session law number.

Version number updated from H3-v-5 to H3-v-6, indicating this is a revised version of the bill text.

Minor text correction needed where 'Township Township' appears to be a duplicate word that should be simplified to just 'Township'.

A1: ACHE-6-V-10 → Edition 1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from an amendment document to a complete legislative bill. The core policy change remains the same: shifting municipal elections in Simpson Village and Monroe City from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, with specific transition provisions for current officials.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from being an amendment to a standalone bill that now includes complete text for both Simpson Village and Monroe City election changes, whereas the original was just amendment instructions.

TECHNICAL

Added complete bill structure including title, sponsors, referral information, and full statutory text instead of amendment instructions.

Removed amendment-specific formatting including amendment numbers, amendment adoption language, and amendment signature blocks.

TIMELINE

Changed election timing from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years for both Simpson Village and Monroe City, with 2026 designated as the first even-numbered election year.

Added transition provisions extending current officials' terms by one year and prohibiting 2025 elections in affected municipalities.

Filed → A1: ACHE-6-V-10 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This amendment changes how North Carolina municipal elections are scheduled, shifting from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years for certain jurisdictions. It also adjusts election dates and term extensions for specific cities like Simpson and Monroe to align with the new schedule.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from applying only to the Village of Simpson to also including the City of Monroe, and from odd-numbered year elections to even-numbered year elections.

TIMELINE

Election timing changed from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years for municipal elections in affected jurisdictions.

Specific election years were adjusted, with 2025 elections cancelled and 2026 elections moved to even-numbered year schedule.

SCOPE

City of Monroe elections were added to the bill's scope alongside the Village of Simpson.

REQUIREMENT

Election procedures were modified to be conducted on a nonpartisan basis with specific petition submission requirements.

Terms for elected officials were extended by one year in affected jurisdictions to align with the new election schedule.

Edition 4 → Ratified · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized and ratified, moving from a draft version to an official enacted law. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, but the document now includes new provisions for implementing a referendum on partisan elections for the Currituck County Board of Education, which will only take effect if voters approve the change in 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on local election procedures in North Carolina, specifically affecting Cabarrus County commissioner vacancies, Currituck County Board of Education elections, Pitt County Board of Education elections, and municipal election timing in Pamlico County, Simpson Village, and Monroe City.

TIMELINE

Added Section 2(e) which requires the Currituck County Board of Elections to certify referendum results and specifies that partisan election provisions will only become effective on the first Monday in December 2028 if voters approve the change in November 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 2(f) clarifying that the section is effective when it becomes law, except as otherwise provided.

TECHNICAL

Changed document status from 'Fourth Edition Engrossed' to 'Ratified Bill' with updated session dates and removed committee substitute language, reflecting final legislative approval.

Edition 3 → Edition 4 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill was updated from Edition 3 to Edition 4, primarily changing the bill number designation from 3 to 4 and adding a new line indicating it is the Fourth Edition Engrossed. The substantive policy content regarding election procedures in Cabarrus County, Currituck County, and the Village of Simpson remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Bill designation changed from House Bill 3 to House Bill 4, and added 'Fourth Edition Engrossed 6/18/25' to indicate this is the latest version of the bill.

Minor formatting adjustments to spacing and alignment in the header section and bill title area.

Edition 2 → Edition 3 · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten from a local amendment for the Village of Simpson to a statewide bill addressing multiple election-related issues across several counties. The new version expands the scope to include partisan elections for school boards, changes election timing for municipalities in Pamlico County, and adds referendum requirements for Currituck County's school board elections.

Scope change

Changed from a single-municipality amendment (Village of Simpson) to a statewide bill affecting Cabarrus, Currituck, Pitt, Pamlico, and Monroe County election processes.

SCOPE

Added provisions for partisan elections on the Currituck County Board of Education, subject to a 2026 referendum

Removed the original Simpson Village-specific charter amendments and 2025 election cancellation provisions

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for partisan elections on the Pitt County Board of Education

Added requirement for regular municipal elections in all Pamlico County municipalities to be held in even-numbered years

Added requirement for partisan elections for the City of Monroe municipal elections

Modified Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners vacancy procedures to apply only to specific counties listed in G.S. 153A-27.1(h)

TIMELINE

Added specific referendum date of November 3, 2026 for Currituck County Board of Education election method change

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised to change the election schedule for the Village of Simpson from odd-numbered even-years to even-numbered years, and to add a new section regulating how municipal elections are conducted. The changes clarify which charter sections are being amended and update the effective date language for council members' terms.

Scope change

The bill now applies to both Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the Village of Simpson Charter, whereas it previously only referenced Section 4.1.

TIMELINE

Changed the election schedule from 'odd-numbered even-numbered year' to 'odd-numbered year' for regular municipal elections, with elections now held in even-numbered years beginning in 1975.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 4.2 requiring all municipal elections to be conducted by the Pitt County Board of Elections in accordance with North Carolina general election laws, including non-partisan elections decided by simple plurality.

TECHNICAL

Updated charter section references from Section 4.1 only to Sections 4.1 and 4.2, and changed 'read as rewritten' from 'reads as rewritten' for grammatical consistency.

ENFORCEMENT

Clarified that council members whose terms expire in 2025 will have their terms extended by one year, specifying exactly which officials are affected.

Various Local Election Changes II.

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