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4 voting presents unique questions about the "one person, one vote" principle that have not been explored as far as he knows in North Carolina. It is not authorized by the general law, but it could be authorized by the General Assembly if it meets the "one person, one vote" principle and also the Voting Rights Act. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 69 and the testimony from Lightning Brown on September 28, 1992, where he talks about "focused voting." He asked if this was allowed under North Carolina law. Geof Gledhill said that the answer is the same as above - it is not expressly authorized, but the General Assembly could authorize it if it met the two requirements. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 24 and the Limited Voting Plan and asked for an explanation. Geof Gledhill said that it looks to be a variation on the proportional voting system. He has not looked at this particular system in detail. Chair Carey verified with Geof Gledhill that if the Board wanted to change the way County Commissioners were selected, the Board would adopt a resolution and then submit it for a referendum. He asked if there was any other way and Geof Gledhill said that they could ask the General Assembly. These are the only ways to change the way in which County Commissioners are elected in Orange County. Chair Carey said that Orange County is not a Voting Rights Act county. Geof Gledhill said that Orange County is subject to the Voting Rights Act, but it is not subject to Justice Department Free Clearance because there is no history of minorities being unable to be elected in Orange County. The classification of people protected by the Voting Rights Act has not been precluded from getting elected. The only groups protected by the Voting Rights Act are minorities, African Americans, and Spanish-speaking. Commissioner Gordon said that Representative Faison has a bill before the General Assembly, and she asked what happens if it passes. Geof Gledhill said that if it passes, there would be a referendum on changing the structure and the Orange County Board of Elections will conduct a referendum on changing the structure of the Board of County Commissioners consistent with that bill. It would create aseven-member Board and create three districts - District A would consist of Chapel Hill Township, District B would consist of the center part of the County, and District C would consist of the rural peripheral of the County. There would be four members from the Chapel Hill district, two members from each of the other districts, and one at- large member. Geof Gledhill said that Representative Faison's bill has specific dates for when everything would take place. It is the kind of plan that the Board could adopt by resolution if it were inclined to. Commissioner Halkiotis thanked the staff for the work done on this report that may be more thorough than the one in the 1990's. He noted some interesting historical facts within the report. He made reference to an interesting quote that he agrees with that "fairness is a political judgment." He said that he has an open mind about this, but he objects to the process that was embarked upon by others. Commissioner Jacobs said that he appreciated staff and that people brought this to the Board's attention. He does not appreciate the way it was forced on them. If the Board is inclined to adopt a resolution, then more information is needed, and he has questions: Definition of a resident in a district. He would like the staff to provide information from different jurisdictions that makes this clear. Does every County Commissioner race in North Carolina have to be partisan (municipal or school boards)? He wants to know if this is automatic or a choice. He would like to know about other counties with a comparable population and one population center and how they elect County Commissioners.