Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
19 6 <br /> June 7, 2011 meeting, the Board adopted a "Resolution Acknowledging the Results from <br /> the 2010 Census Indicating Orange County Remains in Lawful Compliance with <br /> Applicable Requirements for Board of County Commissioners' Nominating Districts," <br /> thereby making no changes to the map/plan/method by which Board members were <br /> elected. <br /> 2016-2018 <br /> In late 2016 and early 2017, members of the Board expressed an interest in discussing <br /> and possibly amending the current election method for seats on the Board of <br /> Commissioners. The Board discussed the topic at its March 28, 2017 Board work <br /> session. However, no additional action occurred at that time. <br /> In mid-2018, members of the Board expressed additional interest in discussing and <br /> possibly amending the current election method for seats on the Board of Commissioners. <br /> The Board discussed the topic at its September 6, 2018 Board work session. However, <br /> no additional action occurred at that time. <br /> CURRENT CONSIDERATION <br /> As noted above, a recent Board petition expressed an interest in discussing and possibly <br /> amending the current election method for seats on the Board of Commissioners. Several <br /> related issues have been voiced regarding potentially amending the method. Staff has <br /> addressed some of those issues below. <br /> If the Board chose to move forward with proposing an amendment to the current <br /> election method, when could a voter referendum occur? <br /> • The North Carolina General Statutes require that counties schedule special voter <br /> referenda only in even years when all the voting precincts in the County will be <br /> open. <br /> That limits this issue to the general election in 2020 and the primaries and <br /> general elections in 2022 and 2024. Further, if the Board determines to change <br /> the current election method and place that change on the November 2020 ballot <br /> everything necessary to complete the change should be ready by July 24, 2020 in <br /> order to allow elections staff adequate time to prepare ballots. <br /> What is the timeframe to place a proposed election method/plan on the ballot for <br /> voter referendum? <br /> • As noted above if the general election in November 2020 is the desired election <br /> on which to have a ballot question on the Board's election method the Elections <br /> Director has requested that all decisions be complete and the ballot language <br /> submitted by July 24, 2020. This is due to an anticipated substantial increase in <br /> absentee voting and will allow the Board of Elections' staff ample time to prepare <br /> the ballot. <br /> • If the Board desires a similar level of public input as was obtained prior to the <br /> 2005/2006 change to the current method it is unlikely that can be achieved given <br /> the current situation due to the stay-at-home orders and technological challenges. <br /> Depending on the Board's potential interest related to the election method, will <br /> population changes related to the 2020 Census need to be considered? <br /> • The 2010 Census is currently the basis for all population calculations. There may <br /> have been changes related to Orange County's population since 2010; however, <br /> any changes as reflected in the 2020 Census are not yet available and likely will <br /> not be available until 2021. If the Board acts now to alter districts, the 2020 <br /> Census data could require the Board to revisit election districts in the near future. <br />