Charlotte (N.C.)

Charlotte was chartered on November 7, 1768 when the colonial assembly passed "An Act for Establishing a Town in Mecklenburg County." This act established a commission form of government for the city, which was used until the Civil War. Following the withdrawal of Federal troops from Charlotte, an aldermanic form of government was adopted with aldermen and mayor elected by the citizens. A change from aldermanic to commission form of government occurred in 1917. A referendum in 1929 resulted in the current city manager and council plan, with the mayor acting primarily as titular head of government. District representation was approved by the voters in 1977.