(a) If the city is divided into electoral districts for the purpose of electing the members of the council, the map or description required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-22 shall also show the boundaries of the several districts.

(b) The council shall have authority to revise electoral district boundaries from time to time.  If district boundaries are set out in the city charter and the charter does not provide a method for revising them, the council may revise them only for the purpose of (i) accounting for territory annexed to or excluded from the city, and (ii) correcting population imbalances among the districts shown by a new federal census or caused by exclusions or annexations.  When district boundaries have been established in conformity with the federal Constitution, the council shall not be required to revise them again until a new federal census of population is taken or territory is annexed to or excluded from the city, whichever event first occurs.  In establishing district boundaries, the council may use data derived from the most recent federal census and shall not be required to use any other population estimates. (1969, c. 629; 1971, c. 698, s. 1.)