Background and Overview
The Orange County Board of Commissioners has not been expanded since 1954 when it grew from three members to five. Until this year, Commissioners were elected via an “at-large” system, meaning all registered Orange County voters could select from all candidates. A major overhaul to the election process will occur in 2008, thanks to a referendum passed in 2006.
Starting in 2008, the Orange County Board of Commissioners will grow from five to seven members. Further, the County will be divided into two voting districts and most Commissioners will no longer be elected “at-large”. District 1 will include Chapel Hill residents living south of I-40 and to the east of Highway 86 as well as those residing south of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School District line to the west of Highway 86. District 2 will encompass the remainder of Orange County. (District Map Link)
In terms of eliminating the at-large process, the County will now move to representation based on District for five of the seven seats. These five Commissioners must live in the District they are representing. Based on Constitutional guidelines of “one person, one vote”, these five seats are allocated based on the relative population of the District. Given that District 1 has approximately three-fifths of the County’s total population (71,389 out of 115,000), it will have three Commissioners. District 2 will be represented by two Commissioners. The remaining two seats will continue to be at-large seats, meaning a candidate can reside anywhere in Orange County.

Election Guidelines
In the Primary Election held on May 6, only residents of a District may vote for the Commissioner candidate who represents their political party and resides in their respective District. Thus, a Chapel Hill democrat residing in District 1 may not vote for a District 2 republican candidate in the Primary election. For the at-large candidates, however, any eligible County voter may vote for a candidate of their political party regardless of where the candidate lives. In the General Election held on November 4, voting based on Districts is eliminated and voters can vote for any candidate to represent District 1, District 2 or at-large.
In the 2008 election, there will be two seats in District 1, one seat in District 2, and one at-large seat. Given that Moses Carey will vacate his seat and Valerie Foushee will be up for reelection (both District 1 residents), there will be at least one open seat in District 1 for a newcomer. In 2010, three Commissioners will be elected, one representing District 1, 2 and at-large each. Commissioners will continue to serve four-year terms staggered with about one-half of Board members elected every two years.