Sections 163-271 through 163-278 shall be applicable to the offices covered by this Article and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-271 through 163-278 shall be applicable to all elective offices not covered by this Article. (1973, c. 1272, s. 3; 1975, c. 50; c. 565, s. 10; 2002-159, s. 21(f); 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)