Agenda item 2 - Additional Discussion Regarding the Election Method for Members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners

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Me respective districts, and elected during the general election by only the voters in their respective districts. Pamlico County's two at large seats are filled based on countywide nomination and countywide election. And like Pamlico, the four district Commissioner seats for the Pasquotank County Board of Commissioners are also for residency, nomination, and election. Candidates for district seats must reside in their respective districts, are voted on /nominated during the primary by only the voters in their respective districts, and elected during the general election by only the voters in their respective districts. Pasquotank County's three at large seats are filled based on countywide nomination and countywide election. What is the timeframe to place a proposed election method /plan on the ballot for voter referendum? • If the Board determined to pursue a voter referendum on an election method /plan in May 2018, Board action on a resolution and election plan /map would be necessary before February 28, 2018. The Board may want to consider whether action earlier than this timeframe would be advisable for the benefit of voters. • If the Board determined to pursue a voter referendum on an election method /plan in November 2018, Board action on a resolution and election plan /map would be necessary by August 17, 2018. It should be noted, however, that the Board's contemplated 2018 summer break would in reality necessitate Board action before or during June 2018. Alternatively, the Board could amend the summer break portion of its contemplated 2018 meeting schedule to extend the timeframe for Board action up to the August 17, 2018 deadline. The Board may want to consider whether action earlier than these timeframes may be advisable for the benefit of voters. Depending on the Board's potential interest related to the election method, will population changes since the 2010 Census need to be considered? • Although there have been changes related to Orange County's population since 2010, those changes would not be considered as part of any potential election method or district delineation. The 2010 Census remains the basis for all population calculations. What is cumulative voting? Is cumulative voting permissible in North Carolina for boards of commissioners' elections? Would Orange County need special legislation from the North Carolina General Assembly to consider /implement a cumulative voting method for seats on the Board of Commissioners? • Cumulative voting is method of election that is utilized in the United States primarily by corporations and to a lesser extent local governmental entities across the country. This method allows minority shareholders to have a greater chance of electing corporate officers and has been adopted in some local jurisdictions specifically to rectify voting rights violations. Cumulative voting is specifically recognized in North Carolina law for corporate voting. Cumulative voting works by allocating a specific number of votes to all voters, five for example. In an election with three candidates an individual voter may choose to place all five votes on a single candidate or allocate the five votes among the three candidates. By pooling votes to a single candidate minority groups have a greater chance of electing a candidate of their choice.