MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — Mount Olive voters will have the opportunity this fall to decide whether the town’s mayor and commissioners should serve four-year staggered terms instead of the current two-year terms.
During its June 22 meeting, the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners adopted an amended resolution calling for a special election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to allow residents to vote on the proposed charter amendment.
The proposal follows the board’s adoption of an ordinance on June 1 amending the Town Charter. Under North Carolina law, the change cannot take effect unless it is approved by voters in a referendum.
If approved, the new election schedule would begin with the 2027 municipal election. The mayoral candidate receiving the most votes in 2027 would initially serve a two-year term, while the three commissioner candidates receiving the highest number of votes would be elected to four-year terms. The two remaining successful commissioner candidates would serve two-year terms.
Beginning in 2029, and every four years thereafter, voters would elect a mayor and two commissioners to four-year terms. Beginning in 2031, and every four years after that, voters would elect three commissioners to four-year terms. The staggered schedule is designed so that not all elected offices appear on the ballot at the same time.
The referendum will ask voters a single question:
“Shall the ordinance amending the Town of Mount Olive Charter that changes the terms of office of Mayor and Commissioners from two-year to four-year staggered terms be approved?”
Voters will mark either “Yes” or “No.”
The Wayne County Board of Elections will administer the special election, and the Town Clerk will publish the required public notices in advance of Election Day.
If voters reject the proposal, the current system of two-year terms for the mayor and commissioners will remain in place.
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