Editor’s Note: The headline of this article has been changed from “Orange County Commissioners Looking Into Changing How District Vote” to the current headline. The reason for the change was to correct any implication that the matter was set to come before the board in the near future. While it has been discussed during a work session in March, the matter is not set to be discussed on any upcoming agenda. The original unaltered story is below.

With local elections coming up in November, there have been talks of changing how Orange County Commissioners are elected for the different districts.

As of now, District 1 (Chapel Hill/Carrboro) and District 2 (northern Orange County) are able to vote for each other’s Commissioners in the general election in November, despite differences in population and general political climate.

Orange County chair Mark Dorosin says that while he has pushed for redesigning this process, the board is at a bit of a standstill.

“There’s a limited amount that we can do without having to seek authority from the state legislature,” said Dorosin, “and there was very little interest in doing anything that would invite the state legislature to look closely at Orange County and how we do anything.”

Dorosin says that state legislative intervention in other counties has only brought what he calls “government by retribution.”

Despite this, Dorosin believes changes should still be made.

“I believe we should do anything we can to make the process as fair as possible,” said Dorosin. “I think that at a minimum, we ought to take the step of saying only District 2 voters elect District 2 representatives and only District 1 voters elect District 1 representatives.”

Elections are scheduled for November 6, 2018, and the deadline for candidates to file is February 28.

One seat is up in each District 1, District 2 and the county at large. District 1 incumbent Mia Burroughs has announced she will not seek re-election. Former Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education member Jamezetta Bedford has announced her intention to run for the seat currently held by Burroughs. Earl McKee has said he intends to seek re-election to his District 2 seat. Barry Jacobs said in a recent e-mail to WCHL that he intends to announce future plans closer to the filing deadline regarding the at-large seat Jacobs currently holds.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Commissioners Approve Funding for Five Affordable Housing Projects
The Orange County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to split over $2.7 million between five local affordable housing projects. Portions of that sum are being granted to Habitat for Humanity, CASA, and EmPOWERment Inc. for the construction of low-income domiciles. Habitat for Humanity will receive over $915,000 to build 24 owner-occupied townhouses for […]
County Officials to Discuss Federal Pushback on Light Rail Project
Approval prospects for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit Project have become tenuous as a result of recent communication between GoTriangle and the US Federal Transit Administration. According to an agenda item intended for the Orange County Board of Commissioners, GoTriangle representatives will elaborate on the status of the project during a regular meeting scheduled for later […]
Orange County Commissioners Explore Options for Expanding Affordable Housing in Mebane
Orange County’s recently met with Mebane to discuss ways to plan for the future of the city and how to accommodate its growing population.
Residents of Chapel Hill's Elliott Woods Apartments Share Concerns of Displacement, Conditions as A Sale Looms
The Elliott Woods Apartments and Chase Park Apartments complexes in Chapel Hill are set to be sold. Tenants are worried about their futures amid poor current conditions.
Housing Affordability Is a Key Concern for Orange County Voters This Fall
Affordable housing is a vital issue for voters in the upcoming election, according to some Orange County residents who say the high cost of living pushes them to consider living elsewhere. 
Chapel Hill Nonprofit Aims to Set New Affordable Housing Blueprint with PEACH Apartments
After redeveloping and renting houses for years, Chapel Hill's EMPOWERment Inc. is set to go a step further: by building its own apartments.
NC 'School Choice' Proclamation First by Democrat Cooper
Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed “North Carolina School Choice Week” for the first time since the Democrat took over the job more than five years ago. The proclamation for “choice week,” which began Sunday, is interesting given Cooper has raised issues over expanding the number of charter schools. And he’s opposed relentlessly efforts by Republican legislators to […]
Orange County Asking Barn of Chapel Hill Complaints be Consolidated
The Orange County Board of Commissioners has issued a statement on court cases involving the Barn of Chapel Hill. There are currently four similar appeals pending before the Orange County Superior Court regarding the barn operating as an event space brought on by neighbors of the property, according to the county. The board has requested […]
Orange County Piloting Rural Broadband Project
The Orange County Board of Commissioners has approved a contract to develop broadband infrastructure for unserved or underserved residents in rural areas. Open Broadband, LLC will be servicing the 36-month pilot project, which will serve almost 5,000 resident address points in the county. Many residents of rural Orange County still rely on DSL for internet, […]
No Alteration for Orange County Commissioner Elections on the Horizon
Editor’s Note: The headline of this article has been changed from “Orange County Commissioners Looking Into Changing How District Vote” to the current headline. The reason for the change was to correct any implication that the matter was set to come before the board in the near future. While it has been discussed during a […]
›