Corrected Rank

https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/10/12/what-to-know-about-the-2021-new-york-city-council-races/

https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/

https://council.nyc.gov/districts/

https://vote.nyc/RankedChoiceVoting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_City_Council

https://lacity.gov/government/city-charter-rules-and-codes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Los_Angeles_elections#:~:text=The%202026%20Los%20Angeles%20elections,not%20appear%20on%20the%20ballot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_City_Council

https://effectivegov.uchicago.edu/news/50-aldermen-may-be-40-too-many-heres-why

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Chicago_aldermanic_election

https://news.wttw.com/2023/01/30/wttw-news-explains-why-are-chicago-elections-nonpartisan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_City_Council

https://houstonlanding.org/how-much-power-does-houston-mayor-have-at-city-hall/

https://houstontx.gov/council/

https://houstontx.gov/council/5/index.html

https://apnews.com/article/houston-texas-mayor-race-election-2023-9830ddb83d63ba9c360b5d75e6c52f75

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_City_Council

https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/citymanager.html

https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/mayorcouncil/find-my-council-district.html

https://fairvote.org/phoenix-runoffs-see-turnout-plummet/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-263589

https://seventy.org/2024-voter-guide/2023-voter-guide-2/candidates-for-city-council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio_City_Council

https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/CAO/City-Charter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_San_Antonio_City_Council_election

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_City_Council

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/fm/annual/pdf/fy06/11v1transition.pdf

https://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/san_diego_municipal_code_updates_pertaining_to_measures_k_and_l_on_the_november_8_2016_ballot_1.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_City_Council

https://dallascityhall.com/government/candidates_resource/Council_MgrGov.pdf

https://dallascityhall.com/departments/government-affairs/Charter-Review/DCH%20Documents/Dallas%20City%20Charter.pdf

https://dallascityhall.com/departments/government-affairs/Charter-Review/DCH%20Documents/Dallas%20City%20Charter.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_City_Council

council–manager; 10 district members + mayor elected at-large; city manager oversees administration

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/governance-structure

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/planning-building-code-enforcement/planning-division/maps-commonly-used-for-planning/city-council-districts-map

Nonpartisan municipal elections; June primary—if a candidate receives >50%, elected outright; otherwise top two advance to November runoff. Mayoral election timing moved to presidential cycle via Measure B (2022).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jose_City_Council ; https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/appointees/city-clerk/elections/2022-elections

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_City_Council

Council–manager; 10 district council members + mayor at-large

(Austin Texas, Wikipedia)

(Austin Texas, Wikipedia)

Nonpartisan; if no majority in November, top two advance to runoff; mayor and council nonpartisan.

https://www.kut.org/austin/2024-12-02/2024-runoff-elections-austin-tx-city-council-district-7-aisd-school-board-manor-mayor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville_City_Council

plurality, residency requirement for "at-large" members. The county was divided into five special districts unrelated to any other districts, solely for the purpose of providing better representation for all geographical areas of Jacksonville

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville_City_Council

https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/government

Council–manager; 10 district council members + mayor at-large

https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/citysecretary/elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A candidate must win a majority (>50%) of votes. If no one gets a majority, the top two advance to a runoff (ties go to a second election; a tie there is decided by lot)

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-121

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus,_Ohio#Government

strong mayor-council: council seats are “residency districts” but elected citywide

(City of Columbus, City of Columbus)

(City of Columbus, City of Columbus)

Hybrid at-large system: candidates must reside in district but are elected citywide in at-large plurality votes.

(City of Columbus, City of Columbus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_City-County_Council

Strong mayor–council governing consolidated city–county; 25 seats

(Wikipedia, Ballotpedia)

(Wikipedia, Ballotpedia)

partisian, with open primaries, plurality. elections are on odd numbered years

https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-3-elections/in-code-sect-3-12-4-9/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_City_Council

Council–manager; 7 district reps + 4 at-large council members + mayor

(Wikipedia, Charlotte NC Government)

(Wikipedia, Charlotte NC Government)

A candidate wins the party primary with a “substantial plurality,” defined as 30% of the vote; if no one reaches 30%, the runner-up may request a second primary (runoff). In the general, The top vote-getter wins each single-seat race; for the at-large council, the top four citywide win the four seats. (See Charlotte’s at-large “vote for four” general ballot.)

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-111.pdf

https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-182.15.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Board_of_Supervisors

(Wikipedia, sf.gov)

(sf.gov, Wikipedia)

IRV voting for Board of Supervisors elections. All seats are single‑member districts.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_City_Council

Council–manager; 7 district seats + 2 at‑large positions

Nonpartisan blanket primary; top two advance to November general; beginning in 2027 primary will determine via IRV ranked choice (last-place cadidates are eliminated each round until two finalists remain, both advance to the general)

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections/ranked-choice-voting-in-seattle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_City_Council

Strong mayor–council; 13 district council members (Denver)

mayor, and 11 district: a candidate must get >50% in the April municipal election. If no one gets a majority, the top two advance to a June runoff; the runoff winner takes office. for 2 at-large: voters chose from all two, top two win

https://denverite.com/2022/12/27/how-does-the-2023-denver-election-work-when-there-are-so-many-candidates/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_the_District_of_Columbia

Mayor-council for DC; 8 ward members + 5 at‑large (including Chair, 4 at‑large)

https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-forms-of-local-government/

will be ranked choice - IRV in the future. closed primaries. According to the Home Rule Act, of the chair and the at-large members, a maximum of three may be affiliated with the majority political party, so candidates regularly switch registration from Dem to Independent in order to run

Wikipedia, https://fairvote.org/press/dc-council-votes-to-fund-ranked-choice-voting-implementation-in-nations-capital/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Council_(Nashville)

mayor–council (consolidated metro), vice-mayor might also be on council according to Ballotpedia

https://ballotpedia.org/Nashville,_Tennessee

mayor+ distict majority required; runoffs if needed; RCV banned statewide. at large, the who get the most votes and TOGETHER they must get at least half.

https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/09/14/freddie-oconnell-wins-nashville-mayoral-election-in-landslide-victory/

https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/charter?nodeId=THCH_PTICHMEGONADACOTE_ART15ELREOF_S15.07PRGE#:~:text=In%20the%20general%20metropolitan%20election,respect%20to%20the%20unfilled%20offices.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_Council

https://www.okc.gov/government/administration/city-manager

https://www.okc.gov/government/administration/ward-map

https://www.okc.gov/government/administration/ward-map

Nonpartisan municipal elections; February election with April runoff if no candidate wins a majority; no RCV.

https://www.okc.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Elections

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Paso,_Texas#Government

https://www.elpasotexas.gov/government/

https://epcountyvotes.com/maps/city-representatives-map

https://epcountyvotes.com/maps/city-representatives-map

https://www2.elpasotexas.gov/municipal-clerk/CCElectionDocs/elections/2020-11-03/Runoff/runoff%20election%202020%20-%20new.pdf (City of El Paso)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_City_Council

Officially nonpartisan; preliminary election if needed, then general; winners by plurality; no RCV (under consideration).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Boston_City_Council_election (Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland,_Oregon#Government

https://www.portland.gov/transition/changes-city-council

https://www.portland.gov/transition/changes-city-council

https://www.portland.gov/transition/changes-city-council

STV: 4 districts elect 3 councilors each; Mayor & Auditor elected citywide with IRV. No at-large council seats.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_City_Council

https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Elections

https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Elections

https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Elections

Nonpartisan municipal elections held in even years; primary/general format: if the candidate wins greater than 50% of all votes in the primary they win and skip the general; no RCV.

https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Mayor-City-Council/Ward-2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Detroit

https://detroitmi.gov/government/city-council

https://detroitmi.gov/government/city-council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Memphis,_Tennessee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memphis_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Memphis%2C_Tennessee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Memphis%2C_Tennessee

7 district seats + two “super districts” (A & B) that each elect 3 members (multi-member residency districts, not citywide). voters elect their single district and 3 super district reps; nonpartisan; council races may go to runoffs; mayor now requires a majority/runoff (approved Nov. 2024); no RCV.

https://www.memphislibrary.org/informed-voter/memphis-city-council/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://dailymemphian.com/article/38898/2023-memphis-mayor-city-council-election-results-blog

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville_Metro_Council

All single-member Metro Council districts; state law is shifting Metro elections to nonpartisan starting in 2026; so starting 2026, nonpartisian primary, top two vote getters move onto general; no RCV.

https://lpm.org/news/2025-04-16/kentucky-voters-will-see-nonpartisan-local-elections-starting-in-2026; https://lpm.org/news/2025-07-02/louisville-metro-council-election-nonpartisan-ballot-kentucky (Louisville Public Media, Louisville Government)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore#Law,_government,_and_politics

https://ballotpedia.org/Baltimore%2C_Maryland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore#Law,_government,_and_politics

Baltimore’s municipal elections are partisan and use closed primaries (you generally must be registered with a party to vote in that party’s primary). Each party’s nominee is the top vote-getter (plurality) in that primary—no majority is required. Only competition is within the Democratic Primary, so there are arguments for reform.

https://abell.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2020_Abell_Election20Reform20Report_FINAL_web.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Common_Council

https://city.milwaukee.gov/cityclerk/MilwaukeesGovernment3215.htm (City of Milwaukee)

https://city.milwaukee.gov/CommonCouncil/Council-Members (City of Milwaukee)

Nonpartisan primary to narrow to 2 candidates; all alderpersons elected by single-member districts; then general

https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Milwaukee%2C_Wisconsin_%282016%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albuquerque_City_Council

https://cabq.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?From=RSS&GUID=68E63E3B-4CCD-408C-A35B-A0155B27EEEB&ID=6657805 (City of Albuquerque)

https://www.cabq.gov/gis/map-views/city-council-map (City of Albuquerque)

Nonpartisan. If no candidate gets 50%+1, a runoff is required; applies to City Council as provided in the Charter.

(American Legal Publishing, American Legal Publishing)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson,_Arizona#Government

ward-only partisan primaries; winners advance to a citywide at-large general where the top vote-getter wins (no RCV). System upheld by the Ninth Circuit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucson,_Arizona#Government

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresno,_California#Government

Nonpartisan; municipal contests are consolidated with state primary/general. A candidate who wins a majority at the primary is elected and the general is canceled (no RCV).

https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Fresno%2C_California_%282016%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_City_Council

https://elections.saccounty.net/ElectionInformation/Documents/2020-Nov-General/FINAL%20-%20Measure%20A%20-%20City%20of%20Sacramento%20-%20Eng.pdf (explains current form) (elections.saccounty.net)

https://data.cityofsacramento.org/datasets/28bd505c8e674a49ba5f782d0d806033_0/about (data.cityofsacramento.org)

Nonpartisan; if a candidate receives a majority in the primary, they are elected; otherwise top-two advance to November (no RCV).

https://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?clip_id=3032&meta_id=387801&view_id=22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City,_Missouri#Government

Nonpartisan municipal elections with an April primary and June general; top two advance; no RCV. At-large members are “residency districts” (must live in the district but are elected citywide)

https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2023-01-26/kansas-city-voting-guide-who-and-what-to-expect-in-the-april-2023-election?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa,_Arizona#Government

City states council-manager form. (City of Mesa)

“Councilmembers are elected from six geographic districts.” (City of Mesa)

N/A (mayor is elected at-large; council seats are district-based). (City of Mesa)

Nonpartisan; regular elections in even-numbered years (Aug./Nov.); If a district candidate gets a majority (>50%) in the Primary, they are elected outright. If no one gets a majority, the top two from the Primary advance to the November General, and the higher vote-getter wins.

https://apps.mesaaz.gov/meetingarchive/ArchiveDocuments/Resolutions/RES%2011103.18.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_City_Council

mayor–council (strong mayor), 1 president, 12 districts, 3 at large

City materials note day-to-day operations handled by the executive (mayor). (citycouncil.atlantaga.gov, Municode Library)

Council consists of 15 members: 12 districts + 3 at-large. (citycouncil.atlantaga.gov)

Three at-large posts (citywide). (citycouncil.atlantaga.gov)

Nonpartisan; majority required—if no candidate gets 50%+1, a runoff is held (no RCV).

https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-21/chapter-2/article-12/section-21-2-501/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha,_Nebraska#City_government

Omaha’s charter establishes a Mayor-Council form. (citycouncil.cityofomaha.org)

City is divided into seven council districts. (citycouncil.cityofomaha.org)

Nonpartisan; primary first Tuesday in April and general first Tuesday after the second Monday in May in the year after a presidential election; top two advance; no RCV.

https://www.votedouglascounty-ne.gov/city_elections.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Springs,_Colorado#Government

Voters adopted strong-mayor; mayor is chief executive, council is legislative. (City of Colorado Springs)

One councilmember from each of six districts. (City of Colorado Springs)

Three at-large councilmembers (citywide). (City of Colorado Springs)

Nonpartisan; council seats decided at the general municipal election (no RCV); mayor must win a majority—charter provides for a runoff. (Ballotpedia, American Legal Publishing). council members are elected by plurality not majority

https://www.koaa.com/news/election-watch/2019/04/02/election-watch-colorado-springs-city-council-at-large/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-6291

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh,_North_Carolina#Government

City’s “Form of Government” page (Raleigh NC)

Council page (Districts A–E) (Raleigh NC)

Nonpartisan system; starting 2026: October nonpartisan primary, top-two to November; 4-year terms (adopted 2022).

https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/html/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-294.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach,_California#Government

City Officials page (council by-district) (Long Beach)

Charter §201 / City Officials page (CivicPlus, Long Beach)

Nonpartisan primary + general: if any candidate gets >50% in the primary, they’re elected; otherwise top-two advance to November

https://longbeach.gov/globalassets/city-clerk/media-library/documents/elections/faqs/general-questions-about-long-beach-city-elections/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Beach,_Virginia#Government

Single-round plurality; no RCV. City used the 10-1 map in 2022/2024; a Nov. 4, 2025 referendum asks whether to keep 10-1 or revert to 7-3-1 as chartered.

https://communications.virginiabeach.gov/hot-topics/referendum-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami,_Florida#City_government

Majority required. If no candidate gets >50%, a runoff is held (now on the 2nd Tuesday in December in odd-numbered years).

https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/Elections/2025-General-Municipal-and-Special-Elections-November-4-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland,_California#Government

Ranked-choice voting (instant-runoff) for all council seats; voters may rank up to five choices

https://acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/voting/rcv

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_City_Council

Instant-runoff voting (single transferable vote) in each ward; no at-large council seats

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa,_Oklahoma#City_government

Nonpartisan two-round system: top-two primary; if no majority, runoff between top two

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakersfield,_California#Government

Nonpartisan primary, two advance to general, then one gets the majority of votes

https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Bakersfield%2C_California_%282016%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wichita,_Kansas#City_government

Nonpartisan primary, two advance to general, then one gets the majority of votes. It appears that if only 3 candidates run in the primary it is canceled and all three advance to the general

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Wichita,_Kansas_(2021)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Wichita,_Kansas_(2023)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington,_Texas#Local_government

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora,_Colorado#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Aurora,_Colorado_(2019)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa,_Florida#Government

(Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_City_Council

Nonpartisan primary, two advance to general, then one gets the majority of votes

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/new-orleans-city-council-election-results-runoff-dec-11/289-a0ca385f-a143-44e0-bfda-ea0e9263a043

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honolulu_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaheim,_California#Government

https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/sites/aelc.assembly.ca.gov/files/SB%20286%20%28Min%2916551487151654253.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington,_Kentucky#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/Lexington,_Kentucky

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/office-urban-county-council/councilmembers

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/office-urban-county-council/councilmembers

3 at-large: (top at-large vote-getter serves as Vice Mayor, 2nd and 3rd place are at-large); for districts: Nonpartisan primary, two advance to general, then one gets the majority of votes

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article288550220.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockton,_California#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/Stockton,_California

https://cms3.revize.com/revize/stockton/Documents/Government/City%20Clerk/Redistricting%20Process/CouncilMap.pdf

Nonpartisan municipal elections. If a candidate gets 50%+1 in the June primary, they win outright; otherwise the top two advance to November (a runoff). Council seats are elected by district.

https://www.stocktonca.gov/government/city_clerk/elections.php

https://ballotpedia.org/Corpus_Christi,_Texas

https://library.municode.com/tx/corpus_christi/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_ARTIICICO_INGE_S17IN

Nonpartisan; majority vote required—runoff if no majority (mayor at-large plus 3 at-large council, 5 single-member).

https://library.municode.com/tx/corpus_christi/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTICH_ARTIICICO_INGE_S2ELPR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henderson,_Nevada#Government

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Legal/LawLibrary/CityCharters/CtyHCC.html

https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/mayor-and-city-council

https://ballotpedia.org/Henderson,_Nevada#:~:text=senior%2Dlevel%20positions.-,City%20council,included%20in%20the%20list%20below.

4 ward councilmembers elected citywide, but must come from 4 seperate wards; mayor elected at-large; nonpartisan primary then November general.

https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/departments/city-clerk/municipal-elections

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside,_California#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/Riverside,_California

https://www.riversideca.gov/council

City charter provides for primary and (if needed) runoff in November; elections are consolidated with the statewide primary/general. In practice: majority in the primary wins; otherwise top two to November.

https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Riverside_County,_California_(2024)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark,_New_Jersey#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Newark,_New_Jersey_(2022)

https://www.newarknj.gov/council-members

https://www.newarknj.gov/council-members

For mayor and ward seats, you must get a majority (>50%); if no one does, a runoff four weeks later. For the four at-large seats, runoffs are also held if a sufficient number of candidates don’t reach a majority to fill all four seats.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Newark,_New_Jersey_(2022)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Paul,_Minnesota#Government

https://www.stpaul.gov/department/city-council

https://information.stpaul.gov/maps/council-ward

https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2011/10/st-paul-ready-give-ranked-voting-its-first-try/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Ana,_California#Government

https://library.municode.com/ca/santa_ana/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTITHCH_ARTIVCICO_DIV1GE_S411RUPR

https://www.santa-ana.org/city-council-ward-map/

Nonpartisan November-only municipal elections. Councilmembers are elected by ward (mayor is at-large). The highest vote-getter wins (no majority/runoff requirement)—you can see winners with under 50% in recent results.

https://ocvote.gov/fileadmin/live/gen2018/results.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati,_Ohio#City_government

https://ballotpedia.org/Cincinnati,_Ohio

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_City_Council

All 9 council seats are elected citywide at-large; top nine vote-getters win (single, nonpartisan city election).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_City_Council

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irvine,_California#Government

Following 2024 general election, moved from all-at-large to seven single-member districts; nonpartisan, plurality.

https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Irvine%2C_California_%282024%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando,_Florida#Government

Nonpartisan with majority requirement. If no one gets 50%+1, the top two go to a runoff. (Applies to mayor and district commissioners.)

https://ocfelections.gov/2024-orlando-runoff?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_City_Council

Partisan, first-past-the-post plurality elections in nine single-member districts; four-year terms; no at-large seats.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis#Government

a nonpartisan approval-voting primary (voters may approve any number of candidates); the top two advance to the April general, where the higher vote total wins. Applies to mayor and aldermen (council).

https://ballotpedia.org/St._Louis%2C_Missouri%2C_Proposition_D%2C_Approval_Voting_Initiative_%28November_2020%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensboro,_North_Carolina#Government

Nonpartisan primary and election method: a primary narrows to two per seat, then the November general decides it

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Greensboro,_North_Carolina_(2022)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_City,_New_Jersey#Government

Nonpartisan November municipal elections. You must win a majority (>50%). If no mayoral, ward, or at-large candidate reaches a majority, a runoff is held (generally the 4th Tuesday after the municipal election)

https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-40/section-40-45-19/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.muni.org/departments/assembly/siteassets/pages/default/the%20municipality%20of%20anchorage%20-%20a%20brief%20overview.pdf

6 (two members per district)

Mayor: needs >45% of the vote; otherwise the top two go to a runoff (anchored in the municipal charter; repeatedly used in recent cycles). Assembly seats are elected by district; the top vote-getter wins (plurality)

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2024/04/24/with-anchorage-election-results-certified-runoff-for-mayor-officially-begins/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Anchorage,_Alaska_(2025)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln,_Nebraska#City_government

Nonpartisan city races with a primary, then general: the top two from the April primary advance; the higher vote-getter in the May general wins. Top 6 advance for at-large. (City charter sets primary/general; 2025 dates confirm schedule.)

https://www.1011now.com/2025/04/03/lincoln-primary-election-what-voters-will-see-ballot/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plano,_Texas#Government

Eight members from eight "places" elected at at large via majority vote (if no majority - runoffs). city is devided up into 4 geographic places. candidates 1-4 must be from these geographic places. places 5-8 do not have recidency restrictions and are just labels. place 6 is the mayor.; four-year terms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Plano_municipal_elections

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham,_North_Carolina#Government

Nonpartisan with an October primary. Mayor (single seat): if >2 file, primary narrows to top two, who face off in November; most votes wins in the general. At-large council (3 seats): primary narrows to top six; in November the top three vote-getters win (plurality).

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Durham,_North_Carolina_(2021)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Durham,_North_Carolina_(2023)#Candidates_and_results

Partisan primary, first-past-the-post plurality elections in nine single-member districts in primary (functionally the winner of the dem primary wins the seat); four-year terms; no at-large seats.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Buffalo%2C_New_York_%282023%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandler,_Arizona#Government

(Municode Library)

(Municode Library)

Primary (August):
City code says a candidate who gets a majority of “votes cast” at the primary is elected outright—no November needed.
For at-large races with multiple seats, the “majority” threshold is computed by:
add all votes cast for all council candidates,
divide by the number of seats to be filled,
divide by two and round up. Any candidate hitting that number is elected at the primary. If more people clear the threshold than seats, the top vote-getters up to the number of seats win.
If seats remain after the primary:
The general (November) is held. The field is trimmed to twice the number of seats still open (or fewer if not enough candidates), based on primary vote totals. Those are the only names on the November ballot for those seats. Highest totals in November win

https://chandleraz.gov/sites/default/files/content/CF_CandidateInformationPamphlet.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chula_Vista,_California#Government

District elections. Nonpartisan primary (March/June); top two from the district advance; winner in November general is by plurality. Mayor/City Attorney remain at-large.

https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/city-clerk/elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Nonpartisan mayoral + district elections: top two from the primary move to the November general, where the higher vote total wins. Elections are not very competative, primary is usually cancelled. (Recent 2025 coverage shows the top two advancing.)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Toledo,_Ohio_(2023)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison,_Wisconsin#City_government

Nonpartisan spring elections: if >2 file, a February primary narrows to two; April general—majority votes wins the district seat.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Madison%2C_Wisconsin_%282025%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert,_Arizona#Government

Nonpartisan, at-large. Primary in August; if any seats remain or no majority, a November general (runoff) decides them; top citywide vote-getters win. for at-large: the majority as half of the average number of votes cast per seat, rounded up. (So multiple candidates can win in the primary.

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/9/00821-01.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno,_Nevada#Government

Nonpartisan primary (June); top two per ward to November general; winner by majority.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno,_Nevada#Government

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Wayne,_Indiana#Government

(cityoffortwayne.in.gov)

(cityoffortwayne.in.gov)

(cityoffortwayne.in.gov)

Partisan primary elections in May; November general—district winners by district plurality; at-large are top three citywide.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Fort_Wayne%2C_Indiana_%282023%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Las_Vegas,_Nevada#Government

(City of North Las Vegas)

(City of North Las Vegas)

(City of North Las Vegas)

Nonpartisan. Primary in June; if needed, November general. Council members are elected only by voters of their ward; plurality wins.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_North_Las_Vegas%2C_Nevada_%282024%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Petersburg,_Florida#Government

(City of St. Petersburg)

Hybrid: District-only primary narrows to two; citywide November general elects the council member; plurality wins. A 2021 proposal to make the general district-only failed, instead the 8 councilmembers have to each be from a district but are elected citywide. (Revize, Ballotpedia)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_St._Petersburg,_Florida_(2021)

https://ballotpedia.org/St._Petersburg%2C_Florida%2C_Charter_Amendment_1%2C_Limit_City_Council_General_Elections_to_Voters_in_the_Council_District_%28November_2021%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubbock,_Texas#Government

(Census.gov, Ballotpedia)

Nonpartisan; if no candidate gets a majority, top two go to a runoff; runoff winner by majority.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Lubbock,_Texas_(2024)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving,_Texas#Government

(Census.gov, irvingtx.gov)

(irvingtx.gov, WFAA)

Nonpartisan; if no candidate gets a majority, runoff; at-large seats are citywide.

(irvingtx.gov, KERA News)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laredo,_Texas#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Laredo,_Texas_(2022)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston-Salem,_North_Carolina#Government

(Census.gov, City of Winston-Salem, City of Winston-Salem)

(City of Winston-Salem)

(City of Winston-Salem)

Partisan elections: party primaries (plurality), then a November general; higher vote-getter wins in the general.

(Ballotpedia, Municode Library)

(Wikipedia, City of Chesapeake)

(City of Chesapeake)

(City of Chesapeake)

Nonpartisan, citywide voting; winners are the top vote-getters for the number of seats on the ballot (e.g., top three). Elections held in November.

(vpap.org, City of Chesapeake)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Chesapeake,_Virginia_(2022)

council-manager; 6 district councilmembers + mayor at-large

(Wikipedia, glendaleaz.com, glendaleaz.com)

(glendaleaz.com)

(glendaleaz.com)

Nonpartisan, two-round system: August primary—candidate wins outright with a majority; otherwise top two advance to November general, where higher vote total wins.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Glendale%2C_Arizona_%282022%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garland,_Texas#Government

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Garland,_Texas_(2022)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottsdale,_Arizona#Government

(ScottsdaleAZ, ScottsdaleAZ)

Nonpartisan. July primary: any candidate (mayor or council) who gets a majority is elected outright; if no majority, the top vote-getters advance to November and highest totals win remaining seats.

https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/council/city-charter?#article-9:-elections

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk,_Virginia#Government

Nonpartisan November elections by district/superward; candidate with the most votes wins (plurality). (See VA results pages showing multi-candidate plurality wins.) (Virginia Elections Database, Virginia Elections Database)

https://ballotpedia.org/Municipal_elections_in_Norfolk,_Virginia_(2014)

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/boise_id/latest/boise/0-0-0-299

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont,_California#Government

Nonpartisan, by-district general elections in November; highest vote-getter in each district wins (plurality).

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Fremont,_California_(2022)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane,_Washington#Government

(my.spokanecity.org)

Washington’s top-two system: primary reduces the field; in November the higher vote total wins. Races with only two candidates may skip the primary; general election winner is top vote-getter.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Spokane,_Washington_(2023)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clarita,_California#Government

council–manager, one councilmember is ceremonially the mayor, but functionally just another councilmember

(Code Publishing)

In 2024, Santa Clarita held its first district-based election for Districts 1 and 3. In 2026, the remaining three at-large elected councilmembers will switch to district-based voting.; each district elects one member by plurality in November (nonpartisan). (City of Santa Clarita, Code Publishing)

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Santa_Clarita,_California_(2024)#Candidates_and_results

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clarita,_California#Government_and_politics

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_Rouge,_Louisiana#Government

(Baton Rouge Official Website)

(Baton Rouge Official Website)

Louisiana open primary (“jungle primary”): all candidates on one ballot; if anyone gets >50% they’re elected; otherwise top two advance to a runoff where the higher vote total wins.

https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Baton_Rouge%2C_Louisiana_%282024%29?