Do you want to serve on the Orange County Board of Commissioners? You may be able to apply now for an open seat.

As of this week, the application period is under way for Orange County residents who want to be considered for a vacancy. Commissioner Mark Dorosin is resigning from the board, effective July 31, to move to Orlando for a new position at the Florida A&M College of Law.

Dorosin is a Democrat who represents Orange County’s District 1, covering Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The law requires his replacement to be a registered Democrat and a District 1 resident as well.

Residents who want to be considered for the vacancy must apply by July 19 at 5 pm. The Orange County Democratic Party will then nominate up to three candidates for consideration. The remaining county commissioners will select Dorosin’s replacement during their business meeting on September 2, although the elected officials are not required to follow the Democratic Party’s recommendations.

Dorosin served on the Board of Orange County Commissioners for nine years. He won re-election to a third term in 2020, defeating Penny Rich by just seven votes.

While there are three years left in Dorosin’s term, the appointment will only run through December 2022. Orange County will hold a special election next year to fill the final two years of the term.

Residents who want to be considered for the appointment can download an application from the Orange County government’s website. You can also request the application and get more information by contacting Board Clerk Laura Jensen: call 919-245-2130 or email clerk@orangecountync.gov.

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