Petition to Reform the Rocky Mount City Election System Through At-Large Representation
The Issue
To:
The Honorable Members of the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House of Representatives
Subject: Request for Legislation Replacing the Rocky Mount Ward-Based Election System with an At-Large Election System
We, the undersigned citizens of Rocky Mount, Nashville, Dortches, Red Oak, and surrounding communities, respectfully petition the North Carolina General Assembly to enact legislation replacing the current ward-based election system for the Rocky Mount City Council with an at-large election system.
Basis for This Petition
For years, many residents have witnessed continued deterioration in portions of Rocky Mount, while other areas have experienced comparatively greater investment and development. Many citizens believe this disparity reflects longstanding failures in leadership, accountability, and governance.
Recent state audits have intensified public concern regarding the City's financial oversight and ethical standards.
Among the matters cited by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor are:
- A previous audit identified the write-off of approximately $47,000 in utility charges owed by a sitting city council member.
- A subsequent audit reported that two sitting council members accumulated more than $30,000 in unpaid utility bills while continuing to receive utility services. According to State Auditor Dave Boliek, those balances were paid only after city officials received a draft copy of the audit report prior to its public release.
These findings have significantly damaged public confidence in the integrity of Rocky Mount's municipal government.
Impact Beyond Rocky Mount
The financial difficulties experienced by the City of Rocky Mount have affected not only Rocky Mount residents but also customers in Nashville, Dortches, and Red Oak, who receive water services through Rocky Mount.
Many residents of these neighboring communities have experienced substantial increases in utility costs while having no opportunity to vote for or against the Rocky Mount City Council members responsible for overseeing the utility system. This has created a sense of taxation without representation among many affected customers.
Why Legislative Reform Is Needed
We believe the current ward system has unintentionally encouraged elected officials to focus primarily on individual districts rather than the long-term interests of the entire city.
An at-large election system would require every council member to be accountable to all Rocky Mount voters rather than only voters within a single ward.
Supporters of this change believe an at-large system would:
- Increase accountability for all council members.
- Encourage citywide planning rather than ward-specific priorities.
- Reduce political division based on geographic boundaries.
- Promote leadership focused on the welfare of the entire community.
- Restore public confidence in city government.
- Better reflect the interests of all customers who depend on Rocky Mount's public utilities.
Commitment to Equal Representation
This petition is not directed toward any racial, political, or demographic group.
We recognize that voters make decisions for many different reasons. However, we believe every election should encourage voters to evaluate candidates based on integrity, qualifications, transparency, and their commitment to serving the entire community.
Request
We respectfully request that the North Carolina General Assembly:
- Introduce legislation abolishing Rocky Mount's current ward-based election system.
- Establish an at-large election system for all members of the Rocky Mount City Council, or another citywide election structure the General Assembly determines will improve accountability and representation.
- Review whether additional governance reforms are necessary to strengthen financial oversight, ethics, transparency, and accountability within Rocky Mount's municipal government.
The citizens of Rocky Mount and the surrounding communities deserve a city government that is transparent, fiscally responsible, accountable, and committed to serving every resident fairly.
We respectfully ask the General Assembly to act in the best interests of the people and restore public confidence in the governance of the City of Rocky Mount.
Respectfully submitted,
The Undersigned Citizens of:
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Nashville, North Carolina
Dortches, North Carolina
Red Oak, North Carolina
687
The Issue
To:
The Honorable Members of the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House of Representatives
Subject: Request for Legislation Replacing the Rocky Mount Ward-Based Election System with an At-Large Election System
We, the undersigned citizens of Rocky Mount, Nashville, Dortches, Red Oak, and surrounding communities, respectfully petition the North Carolina General Assembly to enact legislation replacing the current ward-based election system for the Rocky Mount City Council with an at-large election system.
Basis for This Petition
For years, many residents have witnessed continued deterioration in portions of Rocky Mount, while other areas have experienced comparatively greater investment and development. Many citizens believe this disparity reflects longstanding failures in leadership, accountability, and governance.
Recent state audits have intensified public concern regarding the City's financial oversight and ethical standards.
Among the matters cited by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor are:
- A previous audit identified the write-off of approximately $47,000 in utility charges owed by a sitting city council member.
- A subsequent audit reported that two sitting council members accumulated more than $30,000 in unpaid utility bills while continuing to receive utility services. According to State Auditor Dave Boliek, those balances were paid only after city officials received a draft copy of the audit report prior to its public release.
These findings have significantly damaged public confidence in the integrity of Rocky Mount's municipal government.
Impact Beyond Rocky Mount
The financial difficulties experienced by the City of Rocky Mount have affected not only Rocky Mount residents but also customers in Nashville, Dortches, and Red Oak, who receive water services through Rocky Mount.
Many residents of these neighboring communities have experienced substantial increases in utility costs while having no opportunity to vote for or against the Rocky Mount City Council members responsible for overseeing the utility system. This has created a sense of taxation without representation among many affected customers.
Why Legislative Reform Is Needed
We believe the current ward system has unintentionally encouraged elected officials to focus primarily on individual districts rather than the long-term interests of the entire city.
An at-large election system would require every council member to be accountable to all Rocky Mount voters rather than only voters within a single ward.
Supporters of this change believe an at-large system would:
- Increase accountability for all council members.
- Encourage citywide planning rather than ward-specific priorities.
- Reduce political division based on geographic boundaries.
- Promote leadership focused on the welfare of the entire community.
- Restore public confidence in city government.
- Better reflect the interests of all customers who depend on Rocky Mount's public utilities.
Commitment to Equal Representation
This petition is not directed toward any racial, political, or demographic group.
We recognize that voters make decisions for many different reasons. However, we believe every election should encourage voters to evaluate candidates based on integrity, qualifications, transparency, and their commitment to serving the entire community.
Request
We respectfully request that the North Carolina General Assembly:
- Introduce legislation abolishing Rocky Mount's current ward-based election system.
- Establish an at-large election system for all members of the Rocky Mount City Council, or another citywide election structure the General Assembly determines will improve accountability and representation.
- Review whether additional governance reforms are necessary to strengthen financial oversight, ethics, transparency, and accountability within Rocky Mount's municipal government.
The citizens of Rocky Mount and the surrounding communities deserve a city government that is transparent, fiscally responsible, accountable, and committed to serving every resident fairly.
We respectfully ask the General Assembly to act in the best interests of the people and restore public confidence in the governance of the City of Rocky Mount.
Respectfully submitted,
The Undersigned Citizens of:
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Nashville, North Carolina
Dortches, North Carolina
Red Oak, North Carolina
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Petition created on July 18, 2026