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18 <br /> The Board then pursued a series of meetings over the next thirteen months, including: <br /> public hearings; <br /> • Board discussions on possible draft district maps/plans for either a five or seven- <br /> member <br /> • Board; and <br /> • decisions on specific map/plan issues. <br /> The public hearings and discussions led to the development of a map/plan (for a seven- <br /> member board that met all statutory requirements. The County Attorney prepared a draft <br /> resolution calling for a November 2006 referendum and the Board approved that <br /> resolution and the election plan/map at its June 27, 2006 regular meeting in preparation <br /> for a voter referendum as required by the North Carolina General Statutes. <br /> In the November 2006 referendum, the voters subsequently approved the election <br /> plan/map with more than two-thirds of voters supporting the initiative. The election <br /> plan/map was implemented with the May 2008 primary election and all Board members <br /> since that time have qualified and been elected under the plan. <br /> The election plan/map approved in 2006 established a district/at large system for electing <br /> seven members of the Board of Commissioners, and includes two nominating districts. <br /> • Three seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, by individuals <br /> residing in District 1 and nominated by the voters in District 1 during the primary <br /> election. <br /> These district-nominated candidates are then elected by all the voters in the <br /> entire County during the general election. <br /> • Two seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, by individuals <br /> residing in District 2 and nominated by the voters in District 2 during the primary <br /> election. These district-nominated candidates are then elected by all the voters in <br /> the entire County during the general election. <br /> • The other two other seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, <br /> by individuals residing anywhere in the County and nominated by all voters in the <br /> County during the primary election. These "at large" candidates are then elected <br /> by all the voters in the entire County during the general election. <br /> In summary, five district seats on the Board are filled based on district residency and <br /> district nomination during the primary election, followed by countywide election in the <br /> general election. <br /> The two at large seats are filled based on countywide nomination and countywide <br /> election. <br /> 2011 - Review of District Elections Map Based on 2010 Census <br /> Final numbers for the 2010 Census were published in 2011 providing new population <br /> numbers for Orange County as a whole as well as for the two current electoral districts. <br /> North Carolina General Statute 153A-22 states, "If a county is divided into electoral <br /> districts for the purpose of nominating or electing persons to the board of commissioners, <br /> the board of commissioners may find as a fact whether there is substantial inequality of <br /> population among the districts." <br /> Population growth or decline in districts can lead to significant deviations in the numbers <br /> of residents between districts, thereby compromising the integrity of the districts and the <br /> election plan as a whole. Staff's review of the 2010 Census population totals in relation to <br /> the election plan/map and district boundaries showed very minimal changes in the <br /> population ratios for the districts. Staff prepared an agenda item for the Board, and, at its <br />