(a) The qualified voters of the City of Rockingham shall at each regular municipal election elect a mayor and members of the city council as hereinafter provided.
(b) The mayor and the members of the city council shall be elected from the city at large.
(c) The person receiving the highest number of votes for the office of mayor shall be declared elected, whose term shall be for a period of two (2) years.
(d) The mayor shall take the required oath of office before the city clerk to perform faithfully the duties of the office of mayor and as required by the general laws of North Carolina.
(e) The mayor shall be the official head of the city and shall preside at all meetings of the city council. In the absence or the disability of the mayor, the mayor pro tem shall perform his duties. In the absence or disability of both the mayor and the mayor pro tem the council shall designate one of its members to perform such duties. In the event of the resignation of the mayor the members of the council shall by a majority vote elect a mayor as provided by the General Statutes of the State of North Carolina.
(f) The city council shall consist of five (5) members. In 2003, two candidates shall be elected for four-year terms and one candidate shall be elected for a two-year term. In 2005, and each regular municipal election held biennially thereafter, two candidates shall be elected for four-year terms and one candidate shall be elected for a two-year term. In each election, the two candidates receiving the highest numbers of votes shall be elected for four-year terms and the one candidate receiving the third highest number of votes shall be elected for a two-year term. Members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified. Elections shall be conducted by the nonpartisan plurality method and the results determined in accordance with G.S. 163-292.
(Sec. 4.1(f) amended by the General Assembly, 5-14-01)