Agenda - 09-10-20; Item 3 - Discussion Regarding the Membership Composition of the Planned Committee to Examine the Election Method for Members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners

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22 9 Commissioner Marcoplos said if one wins the Democratic primary, then one has basically won the election. He said this leaves some residents feeling powerless, and this is where cumulative voting, or rank choice voting, could come into play. He said one of the benefits of moving ahead with a thorough and deliberate process is that the BOCC will learn the type of legislature, with which it is dealing, in the meantime. Commissioner Bedford agreed that the timeline of November 2020 is too soon. Commissioner Bedford said this should not be the work of the Commissioners, but rather the work of unbiased and independent individuals (e.g. NAACP, UNC School of Government, League of Women Voters, etc.). She said she read the minutes from previous years, and this issue is incredibly complex, and new issues arise in each conversation. Commissioner Bedford said she is not sure that March 2022 will be good either, because the census data must be included. She said it is also important to include the two new members of the BOCC. Commissioner Bedford said she does not think Orange County needs the attention of the legislature right now. She said she was concerned to educate herself on Orange County election history, and it is very important to insure that all voices are represented, and any new districts would have to be carefully considered to insure that. She said she would not want to further exacerbate the rural/urban divide. She said she is willing to tackle this, and 2021 may be a better time than this fall. She said it is important to get out of the current crisis, so that staff can afford this proper attention. Commissioner Dorosin said he disagrees that the BOCC needs to wait until the census numbers come back, because whether or not the BOCC wants to change the method is independent of the census data. He said the policy aspect of the conversation can proceed while the data is pending. A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Greene establish a committee to study revising the electoral method for members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and the committee should involve a broad range of residents of the community, including UNC staff, with expertise in elections, community-based non-profits. This committee could be charged to do its work in the fall of 2020, depending on the pandemic. The goal of this committee is to have a report and various options presented to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, who will hold the public hearings, and put a proposal before the voters in March 2022 primary. And talk with Board of Election as to when a decision would have to be made to get it on the March 2022 primary. Commissioner Greene seconded the motion, for the purpose of discussion. She said she agrees, in whole, with the motion, but not with the make up of the committee. She said she was thinking more of an independent/professional group. She said she is not sure that the BOCC can decide on the make-up of the committee this evening. Commissioner Dorosin said he would accept a friendly amendment. Commissioner Dorosin proposed that the BOCC make a decision on the make-up of the committee by December 1st Commissioner Price asked if it is clear who will determine the make up of the committee. She said personally, she would want members of the local community to be involved, and not just outside professionals. Commissioner Dorosin said the BOCC would determine the make up of the committee by December 1, 2020. Commissioner McKee reiterated that this virtual platform does not provide sufficient public input, and before the BOCC goes forward with any motion, it is important to have this discussion again once face-to-face meetings resume.