In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated. Depending on the system chosen, a mayor may be the chief executive officer of the municipal government, may simply chair a multi-member governing body with little or no independent power, or may play a solely ceremonial role. A mayor's duties and responsibilities may be to appoint and oversee municipal managers and employees, provide basic governmental services to constituents, and execute the laws and ordinances passed by a municipal governing body. Options for selection of a mayor include direct election by the public, or selection by an elected governing council or board.
The mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of the San Francisco city and county government. The officeholder has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the legislative branch. The mayor serves a four-year term and is limited to two successive terms. Because of San Francisco's status as a consolidated city-county, the mayor also serves as the head of government of the county; both entities have been governed together by a combined set of governing bodies since 1856.
The 2014 San Jose mayoral election was held on June 3, 2014 to elect the Mayor of San Jose, California. Councilmember Sam Liccardo defeated Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese in a runoff on November 4, 2014.
The 2017 Los Angeles mayoral election was held on March 7, 2017, to elect the mayor of Los Angeles. Due to a change in the city's election calendar to align mayoral elections with statewide elections, the winner stood to serve a term of five years and six months instead of the usual four years.
Elections in Tennessee are held to fill various local, state, and federal seats. Special elections may be held to fill vacancies at other points in time. Statewide legislative referrals and referendums may also be on the ballot in some elections. Tennessee is one of thirteen states that holds its presidential primaries on Super Tuesday.
The 2005–06 San Bernardino mayoral election was held on November 21, 2005, and February 16, 2006, to elect the mayor of San Bernardino, California. It saw the election of Pat Morris.
The 2020 Salt Lake County mayoral election was held to elect the next mayor of Salt Lake County, Utah on November 3, 2020, alongside the presidential, House of Representatives and gubernatorial elections. This marked the sixth election to the office since the post was created in 2000.
Bakersfield, California, held a general election for mayor on March 3, 2020. It saw the re-election of incumbent Karen Goh.
Mayoral elections in Irvine, California, are held every two years.
Nonpartisan elections are currently held every four years to elect the mayor of Madison, Wisconsin.
Nonpartisan elections are currently held every four years to elect the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The 2022 mayoral election in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, was originally scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, but was postponed until November 8, 2022, by the passage of a state law in June 2021 that permanently moved Raleigh municipal elections to even years. The law also changed the requirement that winners attain a majority of the vote in a runoff if necessary, instead allowing election by a simple plurality. Incumbent mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin sought election to a second term in office. She was challenged by Terrance Ruth and DaQuanta Copeland.
Elections are held in Riverside, California to elect the city's mayor. Currently, such elections are nonpartisan and are regularly scheduled to elect mayors to four-year terms.
Mayoral elections are currently regularly held in Salt Lake City, Utah, every four years to elect the city's mayor.
Elections are held in Fort Wayne, Indiana to elect the city's mayor. Currently, such elections are regularly scheduled to be held every four years, in the year immediately preceding that of United States presidential elections.
Elections are held in Evansville, Indiana to elect the city's mayor. Currently, such elections are regularly scheduled to be held every four years, in the year immediately preceding that of United States presidential elections.
Elections are held every four years in the off-year immediately after United States presidential election years in Albany, New York, to elect the city's mayor.
Elections are held in Lubbock, Texas to elect the city's mayor. Currently, such elections are regularly scheduled to elect mayors to two-year terms.
The 2022 Milwaukee mayoral special election was held on April 5, 2022, concurrent with Wisconsin's spring general election, to elect a new mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, following the resignation of mayor Tom Barrett in December 2021. Acting mayor Cavalier Johnson, who had been president of the common council when Barrett resigned, won the election, receiving 71% of the vote and defeating alderman Bob Donovan. Johnson became the first African American elected mayor of Milwaukee.
The 2022 Anaheim mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the next mayor of Anaheim, California. Municipal elections in California were officially nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations do not appear on the ballot.