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102 <br /> Bob Joyce <br /> UNC School of Government <br /> April 22, 2021 <br /> Under GS 153A-58, counties may, without action by the General Assembly, chose for <br /> themselves (through a referendum process) one of four modes of election for county <br /> commissioner.1 <br /> 1. <br /> GS 153A-58(3)a. At large elections—everybody votes for all candidates in primary and in <br /> general election; no districts <br /> The voters of the entire county vote for all candidates for nomination (in the primary) and for <br /> election (in the general election). <br /> 2. <br /> GS 153A-58(3)b. True electoral districts–only district voters vote for candidates in district <br /> primary and in district general election <br /> The voters of each district vote to nominate (in the primary) and elect all candidates (typically <br /> only one) from that district (in the general election). <br /> 3. <br /> GS 153A-58(3)c. Blended districts—only district voters vote for candidates in district primM <br /> but all voters of the county vote for all candidates in general election <br /> The voters of each district vote to nominate all candidates (typically only one) from the district <br /> (in the primary)but all voters of the county vote to elect all candidates (in the general election) <br /> 4. <br /> GS 153A-58(3)d. Residency districtscandidates must reside in districts but all voters of the <br /> county vote for candidates in primary and in general election. <br /> The voters of the entire county vote for all candidates in all districts in the primary election and <br /> in the general election,but the candidates must reside in the district they are running from. <br /> May a county combine districts with at-large seats? <br /> Under method#2, the answer is Yes. GS 153A-58(3)b specifically says so. <br /> Under method#3, the answer is Yes. GS 153A-58(3)c specifically says so. <br /> Under method#4, the answer appears to be No. GS 153A-58(3)d does not provide for <br /> combining at-large seats with residency district seats. <br /> Orange County uses method#3, combined with at-large seats. <br /> ' In addition to the mode of election,under GS 153A-58,counties may choose(within constraints)the number of <br /> members of the board,the length of terms of the board,and the manncr of election of the chair of the board. <br />