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3 <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> In response to citizen questions regarding the fairness of the current process used to <br /> elect Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Board held a public information <br /> meeting on September 28, 1992. Joseph S. Ferrell from the Institute of Government, <br /> UNC-CH, presented information on the general laws of North Carolina governing local <br /> elections; and three possible routes for seeking a change in the structure of the Orange <br /> County Board of Commissioners. <br /> Since that time, some citizens have continued to express an interest in studying the <br /> present election process for Orange County Commissioners. On April 20, 1993,the Board <br /> of Commissioners unanimously approved appointing a nine(9) member task force to <br /> study the process for electing County Commissioners. <br /> Members of the Task Force were selected in order to achieve the following <br /> representation. <br /> 1. One member of the Northern Orange County NAACP <br /> 2. One member of the Southern Orange County NAACP. <br /> 3. One member of the Orange County Commission for Women <br /> 4. One member of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women <br /> 5. One member of the Orange County Democratic Party recommended by the <br /> Party chairperson <br /> 6. One member of the Orange County Republican Party recommended by the <br /> Party chairperson <br /> 7. Three At-Large Members <br /> The only criteria for membership was all appointees had to be registered to vote in <br /> Orange County. All Task Force members were appointed by the Board of <br /> Commissioners. <br /> CHARGE <br /> The specific charge to the task force was: <br /> 1. To determine if the present process for electing Commissioners provides fair and <br /> equitable representation for the citizens of Orange County. <br /> 2. If the Task Force determines that the present system is in some way unfair, then, <br /> In what way is it unfair and to whom is it unfair? (This charge was added at the <br /> organization meeting of the Task Force held on June 2, 1993 by Commissioner <br /> Chair Moses Carey, Jr..) <br /> 3. If the process does not provide for fair representation, then what changes are <br /> necessary to achieve fair and equitable representation? <br /> 1 <br />