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83 <br />perceptions /opinions of 171 citizens regarding this issue represent less than one (1) <br />percent of the voting population of Orange County. <br />CHARGE: IF THE TASK FORCE DETERMINES THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM IS <br />IN SOME WAY UNFAIR, THEN IN WHAT WAY IS IT UNFAIR AND TO <br />WHOM IS IT UNFAIR? <br />Response: Although the Task Force determined that the current election system is not <br />fair and equitable for all citizens in Orange County, it could not totally pinpoint those <br />citizens for whom the system is unfair. The questions and issues that were raised and <br />discussed included the following: <br />Is the issue of fairness based on reality or is it one of perception? <br />2. Are the concerns geographical or are they philosophical? <br />3. Is the current system unfair to Democratics, Republicans, Independents, rural <br />residents and /or farmers. <br />4. Is the system unfair to African - Americans and women? <br />5. Is it fair that Chapel Hill Township voters can determine the destiny of the county <br />without any consideration of the needs and concerns of the remaining parts of the <br />county (Le. the recent school bond referendum)? <br />These serious questions and issues were difficult for the Task Force to address and <br />resolve as noted by the five (5) to three (3) vote. Some members of the Task Force felt <br />that the current system is unfair and other members felt that it is fair. (See Attachment <br />II - Minority Report). <br />However, it is a moot point to continue to ponder whether or not it is a perception or a <br />reality that the current system is unfair to some of the citizens of Orange County. The fact <br />is that many citizens do perceive it to be unfair, as reflected by the majority of citizens <br />who participated in the public hearings and the informal surveys. It is also a fact that <br />many citizens do feel alienated and frustrated by their perceptions that the current system <br />is not responsive to their needs and concerns. <br />Recommendation: The Task Force recommends that the following points be considered <br />immediately by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. <br />The Board has a responsibility to reach out to all citizens, not just those who have <br />the power to determine election results. The Task Force recommends that the <br />current Board implement various strategies to insure input in policy decisions from <br />rural citizens and communities in the County. <br />