Elections for the Orange County Board of Commissioners are held in even numbered years with commissioners serving four-year terms, however the board is now seeking public input on how those elections are held. If changes are made, they could be applied in the next commissioner election in 2022.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is composed of seven elected members. Five members are elected by district and two members are elected at-large – meaning they can reside anywhere in the county.
Of the five commissioners elected by district, three represent District 1 consisting of the southeastern portion of the county which includes Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The remaining two members represent District 2 which consists of the remainder of the county.
The 2021 Board of Orange County Commissioners. (Photo via the Orange County government.)
During the primary elections, only residents of District 1 vote for District 1 candidates and District 2 for District 2 candidates. During the general election, however, all residents vote for all candidates – regardless of the district they represent.
Chair of the Orange County Commissioner Renee Price said this current process leads to some questions of the fairness of the elections.
“There has been talk especially in District 2 over the years about the fairness of having primary elections by district and then the general elections with everyone,” Price said. “Whether or not that really gives the voice to the people of District 2 if District 1 is voting in that election and vice versa.”
To help recommend changes to the election system, the Board of County Commissioners appointed an Elections Advisory Group. Price said the advisory group is seeking public input on potential changes to the process through surveys, but could ultimately decide the current process is ideal.
“They do want some more citizen input and then those ideas will be brought to the Board of County Commissioners,” Price said. “My hope is we will have open discussions and then see where we want to go. If we want to make any changes or leave things as they are.”
Evaluating the Board of County Commissioner election process is topical, as the board will soon have a vacant seat.
District 1 Commissioner Mark Dorosin announced he would formally leave his position with his last day July 31. Dorosin’s term was scheduled to end in 2024.
Price, who joined the board the same year as Dorosin, shared her sentiments on his upcoming departure.
“He’s done good work while he’s been here and he will be missed,” Price said. “Yet if his calling is to go and be a law professor in Florida then so be it. Good wishes and we will remember him because he’s done a lot.”
While the board will appoint a member to fill Dorosin’s seat, it will be up for election in 2022 for a two-year term. Any changes made to the county commissioner election process could impact the seats up for election in 2022.
To submit input in the Orange County commissioners election process survey, click here.
Photo via Orange County
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