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0 <br />2 <br />Census breaks the county down into four categories depending on how <br />urban or rural they are. He indicated that 60% of the population <br />live within the 2 urban areas and 40% are in the 2 rural <br />categories. If rural districting was established it would probably <br />disadvantage non -white citizens because they are a lower <br />proportions of the rural population in the county. He also stated <br />that Orange County ranks 84 out of 100 in proportion of voters to <br />the number of Commissioners on the Board. Orange County is the <br />largest county in North Carolina that doesn't have processes in <br />place to provide equitable representation for all its citizens. <br />All of the larger counties have done something. The simplest <br />solution is to expand the number of County Commissioners. His <br />experiences as a voter registrar indicate that the more complicated <br />the system, the harder it will be for the voter. He explained <br />"focus voting ". i.e. there are three seats open and voters have <br />only two votes. The overreaching influence of any one area of the <br />county results in citizens not feeling represented. <br />Gloria Williams asked where Orange County ranks in size compared to <br />the other Counties. Mr. Brown indicated that it is in the top <br />third by population. <br />Mark Marcoplos, of Bingham Township, stated that his experiences in <br />getting on the ballot as an Independent candidate convinced him <br />that people do want a change in representation. He reminded the <br />Task Force that they serve the citizens of Orange County and not <br />the Board of Commissioners. He commented that this is a Democratic <br />Party issue. This is tied to straight party voting. There are <br />assumptions being made. For instance, why does this need to be <br />kept out of the election. Why is that important? He rejected this <br />argument. Another assumption he mentioned was that district <br />representation would cause gridlock. He challenged that <br />assumption. He asked the Task Force members to go to a newspaper <br />editor in one of the counties where a district system is being used <br />and ask if the district system has proved divisive. The assumption <br />that the present system assures African - American representation has <br />not been proved to his satisfaction. How does it assure that? He <br />also challenged the assumption that this is solely a northern <br />issue. Many people in Chapel Hill voted for him. Party <br />affiliation is not that important in this issue. The Board must be <br />enlarged. The process must be expanded. <br />Patrick Mulkey mentioned that the Task Force has discussed the time <br />line and will request more time if necessary. <br />Henry Suhr, a resident of Chapel Hill Township, thanked the Task <br />Fore for their willingness to serve their community. He indicated <br />that he is personally satisfied that his views are represented on <br />the Board of County Commissioners; however, there is no assurance <br />that this will continue. Also, the rural portion of the county <br />does not seem to be properly represented. Changes need to be made <br />to ensure that the system will continue to represent all the <br />