HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-19-1999 - 10cORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 19, 1999
Action Agenda
Item No. /O - C
SUBJECT: University Campus Voting Precinct Proposal
DEPARTMENT: Boazd of Elections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) 1~a=' ''
BUDGET AMENDMENT: (Y/N) Nv ~ "
ATTACHMENT(S):
1/6/99 Elections Director Memo
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cazolyn Thomas, ext 2350
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To receive a report on the feasibility of a proposal to create a precinct on the UNC campus
that would simplify the voting process for some University students.
BACKGROUND: At their December 15,.1998 regulaz meeting, the Boazd of Commissioners requested a
report from the Board of Elections concerning a suggestion that arrangements be made to allow
University students to vote at a proposed "on-campus precinct", rather than in the precincts in which they
reside. The Board of Elections discussed this proposal at their meeting on January 5, 1999.
As explained in the attached memo from Elections Director Carolyn Thomas, North Cazolina law, as
currently written, would preclude the proposed arrangement. Staff will be available to respond to the
Board's questions and follow up as needed.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report as information.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
110 EAST KING STREET
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
(919) 732-8181 ext. 2350
TO: County Commissioners
FROM: Carolyn C. Thomas, Director
DATE: January 6, 1999
SUBJECT: Campus Voting
The members of the Orange County Boazd of Elections met on Tuesday, January 5`'' for their monthly
meeting. As you aze aware, there has been some interest expressed for the Board of Elections to establish
a satellite -voting site on the campus of UNC-CH for student voting. The Board understands the concerns
of the students and the frustrations they face trying to arrange their schedule in order to vote and make all
their classes, as well as transportation problems.
The provision for satellite voting sites in the election laws of North Carolina is found in G.S. 163-130,
which is quoted below:
(1) All the satellite voting places to be used are listed in the county's written request;
(2) The plan will in the State Boazd's judgment overcome a barrier to voting by the elderly or
disabled;
(3) Adequate security against fraud is provided for; and
(4) The plan does not unfairly favor or disfavor voters with regard to race or party affiliation
Orange County does have one precinct which this statute pertains to and that is the Weaver Dairy Satellite
precinct. This is a satellite precinct for the residents of the Carol Woods retirement center that is covered
under number (2) of G.S. 163-130.
There was a bill introduced during the 1997 session of the General Assembly that would have allowed
county boards of elections to set-up satellite voting sites for residents of college dormitories. This passed
the Senate in 1997 but did not pass the House in 1998.
As far as designating a said precinct entirely for residents of the college dormitories or surrounding
dwellings, the General Statutes states that a resident of the county will vote only within the precinct in
which they reside (G.S. 163-55). The location of dormitories alone encompasses 5 different precincts.
This does not include students living off campus.
The members of the Boazd of Elections aze very interested in voter participation and will do whatever the
law will allow in order for all qualified voters to have easy access voting. Under the current statutes, no
authority has been given to the county boards to establish any type of satellite polling sites.
If you would like to discuss this further or if I can answer any questions you might have, please give me a
call at 732-8181 ext. 2351.