Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
BACKGROUND <br />Ul <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 Parry 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 />E <br />