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Municipal election filing in Burke County starts at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 7. Filing ends at noon on Friday, July 18, said Kenny Rhyne, director of elections for Burke County.

Only voters who live in the town limits of these municipalities can file and vote.

Some town councils that will hold elections in November have seen some resignations recently.

Connelly Springs

Mayor Dennis Seagle won the mayoral race in 2021 but stepped down in September 2024 after suffering a stroke in April 2024. Mayor Pro Tem Carroll Turner has served as mayor since that time, according to a previous News Herald story.

The mayoral seat is up for election this year.

The board of aldermen, which has six members, also saw some shifts in representation since the 2021 election.

Turner’s original seat, which he won in 2021, is up for election this year.

Terry Childers also won a seat on the board in 2021 but stepped down from the board in April 2024. His terms expires this year.

The two seats that were left vacant have been filled by Bobby Tomlinson and Adam Greene, Rhyne said.

Jeffrey Reid Beck, who won his first term on the board in 2021, had to step down after winning the Eastern District seat on the Burke County Board of Education in November. His seat has not been filled, Rhyne said.

Filing fee: $5

Valdese City Council, mayor

The mayor’s seat is up for election this year in Valdese. Incumbent Charlie Watts has already announced he won’t be seeking reelection.

Ward 1 Councilman Glenn Harvey was elected in 2023 to fill the unexpired term of Andy Thompson, who stepped down from the board in September 2022. Harvey has also announced he won’t seek reelection to the seat.

The Ward 2 council seat is currently held by Melinda Zimmerman and is up for election this year. The seat was won by Paul Mears in 2021 but he resigned in October 2024 after Hurricane Helene hit the area. Mears said at the time that his family decided to rent their Valdese residence to a family that became homeless due to a large tree damaging their property in downtown ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë. Mears said his family moved to a home in ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë.

After Mears resigned, the majority of the board appointed Roger Heavner to fill the remainder of his term. Heavner, however, resigned three weeks later, citing negativity surrounding the board.

Later, the board appointed Melinda Zimmerman to fill the seat.

The Ward 3 council seat, currently held by incumbent Rexanna Lowman, also is up for election this year.

Filing fee: $12 for mayor and $10 for council.

Drexel Board of Aldermen, mayor

The mayoral seat in Drexel, which is a two-year term, is up for election. The incumbent is Dennis Anthony.

The town suffered a loss after its Mayor Pro Tem and longtime board member Terry Yount died on May 12. Yount’s seat will be up for election in November.

The board has two other seats up for election this year and the incumbents are Tim Franklin and Scott Coe.

Filing fee: $10 for mayor, $5 for aldermen

Glen Alpine town council, mayor

The town saw the resignation of Mayor Bob Benfield and, subsequently, council member Michelle Lewis stepping into the role of mayor. The mayoral seat is up for grabs this year.

In addition to the mayoral seat, three seats on the town council are up for election this year, including Lewis’ seat, as well as the seats of incumbents Jason Miller and Sheila Perkins.

Filing fee: $5

ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë City Council

The ÈÕ±¾ÎÞÂë City Council has two seats up for election this year. The District 3 seat, currently held by Chris Hawkins, and the District 4 seat, held by Wendy Cato, are both up for election.

Filing fee: $25

Rhodhiss Town Council, mayor

The mayoral seat is up for election with incumbent Allen Spencer Sr. serving. Two town council seats are up for election, which are currently held by Mike Phillips and Joyce Karn.

Filing fee: $5

Long View Town Council, mayor

The mayoral seat is up for election in Long View. The incumbent is Marla Thompson.

On the town council, the Ward 5 seat, which is partially in Burke County, is up for election. The incumbent is Phyllis Pennington. Residents living in Ward 5 who are in Burke County can vote in the election as well as vote for mayor, Rhyne said.

Filing fee: $5

Hickory City Council, mayor

The Hickory mayor’s seat, which is currently held by Hank Guess, is up for grabs this year.

While the Ward 5 seat, whose incumbent is David Zagaroli, is the only ward that is partially in Burke County, Burke County’s Rhyne said voters living in that ward also can vote for Wards 4 and 6 and mayor.

Filing fee: $12

The towns of Hildebran and Rutherford College hold their elections in even years.