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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18 The Board then pursued a series of meetings over the next thirteen months, including: public hearings; Board discussions on possible draft district maps/plans for either a five or seven- member Board; and decisions on specific map/plan issues. The public hearings and discussions led to the development of a map/plan (for a seven- member board that met all statutory requirements. The County Attorney prepared a draft resolution calling for a November 2006 referendum and the Board approved that resolution and the election plan/map at its June 27, 2006 regular meeting in preparation for a voter referendum as required by the North Carolina General Statutes. In the November 2006 referendum, the voters subsequently approved the election plan/map with more than two-thirds of voters supporting the initiative. The election plan/map was implemented with the May 2008 primary election and all Board members since that time have qualified and been elected under the plan. The election plan/map approved in 2006 established a district/at large system for electing seven members of the Board of Commissioners, and includes two nominating districts. Three seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, by individuals residing in District 1 and nominated by the voters in District 1 during the primary election. These district-nominated candidates are then elected by all the voters in the entire County during the general election. Two seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, by individuals residing in District 2 and nominated by the voters in District 2 during the primary election. These district-nominated candidates are then elected by all the voters in the entire County during the general election. The other two other seats on the Board are filled, with staggered four-year terms, by individuals residing anywhere in the County and nominated by all voters in the County during the primary election. These "at large" candidates are then elected by all the voters in the entire County during the general election. In summary, five district seats on the Board are filled based on district residency and district nomination during the primary election, followed by countywide election in the general election. The two at large seats are filled based on countywide nomination and countywide election. 2011 - Review of District Elections Map Based on 2010 Census Final numbers for the 2010 Census were published in 2011 providing new population numbers for Orange County as a whole as well as for the two current electoral districts. North Carolina General Statute 153A-22 states, "If a county is divided into electoral districts for the purpose of nominating or electing persons to the board of commissioners, the board of commissioners may find as a fact whether there is substantial inequality of population among the districts." Population growth or decline in districts can lead to significant deviations in the numbers of residents between districts, thereby compromising the integrity of the districts and the election plan as a whole. Staff's review of the 2010 Census population totals in relation to the election plan/map and district boundaries showed very minimal changes in the population ratios for the districts. Staff prepared an agenda item for the Board, and, at its 5