Louisburg leaders decry surprise election change passed without local input
Officials and residents from the town of Louisburg gathered Tuesday outside of the North Carolina Legislative Building to protest a surprise change to the town’s mayoral election process, which they say was made without their knowledge or any public input.
The provision was inserted into House Bill 183, which originally focused on wake surfing restrictions on Lake Glenville in Jackson County. But in a last-minute revision, lawmakers added a language that alters how Louisburg, a town in Franklin County, elects its mayor.
The change requires a runoff election if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. If only two candidates file for the office, however, the winner will be determined by a simple plurality. Town council elections will not be affected by the change and will continue to be decided by plurality.
The incumbent, Mayor Christopher Neal, said runoff elections create unnecessary burdens for voters, especially those with limited time and resources. He cited studies that have shown a significant drop in voter turnout for runoff elections, often with participation declining by 40% or more between the initial primary and the second round of voting.
https://ncnewsline.com/2025/07/30/louisburg-leaders-decry-surprise-election-change-passed-without-local-input/
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