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LAW OFFICES <br />COLEMAN, GLEDHIL.L., HARGRAVE &. PEEK <br />A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION <br />129 E TRYON STREET <br />P O DRAWER 1529 <br />HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278 <br />919 - 732.2196 <br />FAX 919.772 -7997 <br />www cgandh mm <br />Moses Carey, Jr., Chair <br />Valerie P. Foushee <br />Alice M. Gordon <br />Stephen Halkiotis <br />Barry Jacobs <br />Orange County Board <br />Post Office Box 8181 <br />Hillsborough, North <br />October 26, 2005 <br />of Commissioners <br />Carolina 27278 <br />FROM THE DESK OF <br />GEOFFREY GLEDHILL <br />r.MAIL gadF.,, dhlu(e , nah n <br />RE: Redistricting in a District Election System <br />Dear Board Members: <br />This letter summarizes how redistricting would work were <br />Orange County to elect its Commissioners in whole or in part by <br />(1) districts for the purpose of nominating or electing persons <br />to the Board of Commissioners or (2) districts for residency <br />purposes only. <br />North Carolina General Statute § 153A -22 contains the <br />requirement and the process of redistricting where electoral <br />districts are for the purpose of nominating or electing persons <br />to the Board of Commissioners. Generally speaking, it creates a <br />standard of "substantial inequality of population among the <br />districts," and provides that the Board of Commissioners, by <br />resolution, can redefine the electoral districts in response to <br />substantial inequality of population among the districts. The <br />"redefined" electoral districts, after, redistricting, must be <br />"as nearly equal as practicable." And, the redefined electoral <br />districts must meet the constitutional, one person one vote <br />requirement. <br />If a district plan approved by the voters is a residency <br />only one, there is no statutory mechanism for redistricting by <br />resolution of the Board of Commissioners. "Redistricting" would <br />have to be done either by another referendum creating the <br />redefined districts or by special act or authority of the <br />