The mayoral election in the Town of Smithfield won’t take place this year. Following a 7-to-0 vote Tuesday night by the Smithfield Town Council, the board voted to postpone the mayoral election to 2022.
Because the 2020 US Census information hasn’t been supplied to cities and towns that hold district elections this year, the NC General Assembly adjusted the voting deadlines for the 2021 municipal elections.
Smithfield has four district council seats up for election in 2021. Due to the census data delay, the Smithfield town council elections won’t take place until March 8, 2022. That would leave the mayoral seat the only Town race on the November 2, 2021 ballot.
The board voted to postpone the mayoral election from November 2, 2021 to March 8, 2022, the same time the council elections will take place.
Town manager Mike Scott said he anticipates Census information being received by September. Based on that timeline, the redistricting process can be completed by mid-November. That would allow the filing period for mayor and four town council seats to take place November 17 to December 6, 2021.
However, if the Census information isn’t received by September, and more time is needed to complete the redistricting requirements, Scott said the filing period would take place January 3 to January 7, 2022.
Either way, the delayed election will be held March 8, 2022.
