Agenda - 09-02-2021; 12-8 - Information Item - Memorandum - Transmittal of the Final Report from the BOCC Elections Advisory Group (BEAG) on the Process for Electing County Commissioners in Orange County

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50 5 the County and is in need of reclamation. Group Co-Chair Hazirjian seconded the motion. Group Co-Chair Mulkey asked Mr. Wilder to call the names of Group members for voting purposes. Group members voted by roll call on the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. Group Member Weiler commented that he knew he was in the minority, but he wanted to note that at-large seats can capture and reflect population growth and that seats should represent people, not land. Group Member Dancy stated that she agreed with Group Member Weiler and that she was supportive of a couple of at-large seats. Group Member Sykes noted that with single member districts, sometimes you do not find countywide solutions. Group Co-Chair Hazirjian stated she was most comfortable with single member districts and Group Member Bremer noted that single member districts were the easiest to understand. Group Member Catterall noted that while he was supportive of single member districts, at large seats did allow a person to vote for more than one person to represent them. Group Member Arab commented that she can understand the interest in at-large members, but seven districts will allow equal representation of their perspectives. Group Co-Chair Mulkey inquired with Group members regarding a motion. Group Member Jenkins made a motion that the Group recommend seven single member residency districts where candidates in the districts are voted on in both the primary and the general election by only the voters in the respective districts. Group Member Catterall seconded the motion. Group Co-Chair Mulkey asked Mr. Wilder to call the names of Group members for voting purposes. Group members voted by roll call on the motion, and the motion was approved by a vote of 12 to 1, with Group Member Dancy opposed. Group Member Dancy indicated that she agreed with the recommendation for seven seats, but that there is value in having some at-large seats. Group Co-Chair Hazirjian noted that seven single member districts would require redistricting, and motioned that the Group strongly recommend that the Board of Commissioners establish a multi-partisan/non-partisan independent advisory group and process to create the seven districts: • based the criteria outlined in the Group's Charge — Constitutional and statutory requirements and voting rights law; Proportionality, Equity, Uniformity, Simplicity/clarity, and Maximizing voter engagement • that seeks wherever possible to keep communities of interest together; and • that avoids splitting precincts.