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

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31 19 candidate cannot win a countywide election in Orange County. He said his proposed change is simple, and does not require legislative involvement. Commissioner Burroughs said she is interested in learning more about Commissioner McKee's suggestion. She said it would clean up what currently exists, as people are familiar with it. She is not confident that the legislature would support cumulative voting, but is open to others' thoughts. Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to read more of the cumulative voting information forwarded by Commissioner Marcoplos. He disagreed that a republican cannot be elected in Orange County, but said a radical republican could not. He said there are republicans on the school boards and the town councils. He said Greg Wilder's point about how the BOCC sits in meetings indicates the fact that they represent the whole County, not just a district or at large position. He said the current system mitigates towards that, and so far the BOCC personifies that. He said he would be very careful about Balkanizing Orange County in a way that may pit district against district. He said there is already a subtle divide in the County, and he said the district nominate /district elect would only exacerbate that. Commissioner Rich asked if Commissioner Jacobs recalls which options were discussed in 2006. Commissioner Jacobs said all of the permutations were considered, and there was a report on this. He said the legislature tried to enforce a particular system on the County at that time, which the County fought. He said non - partisan commissioner elections were discussed, but not cumulative voting. Commissioner Marcoplos said Commissioner Jacobs made a good point about the school board non - partisan elections, but the major parties are not going to release their grip on the partisan elections. Commissioner Marcoplos said if changes are going to be made, the change should be one that really makes a difference. He said he does not find Commissioner McKee's suggestion to be worth the effort. He said in cumulative voting, one can use the power of one's vote. He said it is a community building solution as well. Chair Dorosin said the reality of getting something positive from the legislature is daunting. He said there needs to be a fairer election system. He said there is the perception that the current system is unfair, and this needs to be moved away from. He said at -large elections are the least fair, and having residents run in districts, and to be elected from those same districts, is fairer. Chair Dorosin said he does not believe Commissioner McKee's suggestion would lead to the Balkanization of the County, and it is interesting that the current at -large Commissioners come from outside District 1. Chair Dorosin said residents feel disenfranchised with the current system, and it would be interesting to look at voter registration in each of the districts. Commissioner Burroughs asked if the proposal would be to leave the at -large Commissioners as they are, but make the districts vote primary and general election within the districts. Chair Dorosin said he would be amenable to get rid of the at -large positions and have four Commissioners from District 1, and three from District 2; or however the numbers broke down fairly. He asked if such a change could be done by a referendum. John Roberts said yes, this could be done by referendum. Commissioner Price said a Republican or an Independent can win in District 2, and it would be more possible with the change proposed by Commissioner McKee. She said when Chapel Hill votes in general elections the balance is shifted. She said this concern is often raised to her, as it leads to Chapel Hill and Carrboro determining elections.