The North Carolina General Assembly appointed a Board of Commissioners and Trustees to oversee the town.
Upon the death, resignation, or removal from the county or state, the board would nominate its own successors.
Following the incorporation, Rogersville was granted an elected Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
When the town was reincorporated by the General Assembly in 1883 to add new property to the corporate limits, the term of office was changed to four years.
Rogersville's current mayor, Jim Sells, has been re-elected every four years since 1977.