Agenda - 05-05-2005-1b - Laserfiche WebLink

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M MINORITY REPORT TASK FORCE ON THE PROCESS FOR ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA The Task Force on The Process For Electing County Commissioners (Orange County, N.C.) met on June 30, 1993. During this meeting a five (5) to three (3) vote was registered stating that the current system was not fair and equitable to all Orange County citizens. The three (3) dissenting voters have chosen to file a minority report in opposition to this registered opinion. The following factors are cited: o Two public hearings were held: June 16 and 17, 1993, with a combined total turn -out of thirty - five persons. Of those thirty -five (35), ten (10) attendees were present at both the June 16th and 17th meetings. In addition to the Public Hearings, surveys were conducted at "HOG DAY" and at the FARMERS MARKET. The two public hearings plus the surveys provided a total of 161 responses stating that the current process for electing county commissioners is unfair. However, as of January B, 1993, there are 60,560 registered voters in Orange County. It is our considered opinion that 161 responses in no way justify and support the opinion that the current system to elect county commissioners is unfair. The ratio of responses to the total voting population is miniscule, and because the 161 responses did not represent a controlled random sampling of the Orange County voting population, no accurate or supportive conclusions can be drawn. o There is no evidence that there were sufficient African- Americans who voiced opposition to the current system to elect Orange County Commissioners. o The Voting Rights Act as established does not provide for redress or corrective measures based on perceived discrimination or unfairness in a situation of rural versus urban population.