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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-12-2006-9cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 12, 2006 Action Agenda Item No. q-G SUBJECT: BOCC District Elections Education Process DEPARTMENT: BOCC PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Yes -Listing of methods of public education and sample of simplified description of the referendum INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board (919)245-2130 of Commissioners PURPOSE: To consider tools and process to increase public awareness of the November 7, 2006 District Election Referendum. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Board of Commissioners, with input from the public, brought forth a referendum to modify the number of Commissioners who serve on the Orange County Board from five to seven members and to establish residential districts for the election of the Board, Members of the Board have requested a public awareness /education campaign to improve public knowledge of the referendum. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Dependent on Board direction RECOMMENDATION(S): As the Board decides. Public Education on °2 District Election Referendum Overview On the November 7, 2006 General Election ballot the registered voters in Orange County will decide whether to change the current process of electing the County Commissioners, Primary Objectives Increase public awareness of the referendum Inform and educate the voters on the details of the referendum Education Methods and Tools Brochures News Media Newspaper Paid ads Public Service Amnouncements (PSA) Radio Paid ads Public Service Announcements (PSA) Orange County Website Additional options - - Submit guest articles to newspapers and/or letters to the editor - Radio interviews by BOCC members - Host a media awareness session - Invite public to a Q and A session -Speak at meetings far local civic groups and/or Chambers - Expand the information provided on Web discussion groups (blogs) - Be a guest speaker at a local event -Team with local nonpartisan political action groups (League of Women Voters) -Booth at public events -Set up display tables with large maps and information in public locations Ad Copy (See sample of sin:plifiecl working example, back page) Previous Ads On July 19, 200(, as required by North Carolina General Statute, a paid ad/ public notice ran in The Chapel Hill News, The Chapel Hill Herald, and the News of Orange County announcing the referendum. The ads were approximately 2 columns by 14 inches, The ad contained the exact warding of the referendum, as it will appear on the ballot and a map of the Electoral Districts. The combined ads cosC $1385.48. 3 Questions How much funding should be devoted to paid advertising? What is the best timing for running ads? Possible Education Committee Possible members - Geof Gledhill, Greg Wilder, and 1 or 2 Commissioners Members of the public, particularly those who have already expressed interest (Time sufficient to appoint members?) Brochure Brochure could include map, formal wording of ballot, and an easy to understand version of the referendum, • Include a Countywide map showing the proposed district elections plan, with sufficient clarity to be readily readable, • Inset map detailing the proposed boundary separating Districts 1 and 2. • Explain that approval of the proposed plan would expand the Board from five to seven members. • Explain the proposed timeframe for the expansion of the Board to seven members, • Explain the proposed number of members from each district and the at-large members. • Explain the use of nominating districts during the May primaries, meaning that any candidates for seats from either of the two districts must live in those respective districts and be nominated in May by the voters of their respective political party in those respective districts. • Explain that At-large candidates aze nominated in May by the voters of their respective political party from the entire County and elected in November by all voters across the entire County. • Explain that all candidates, both those nominated by district and those nominated At-Lazge, are elected in November by all voters across the entire County. • Explain when the respective Commissioner seats would be up for election, • Provide contact information for further information. • Explain situation if the referendum is not approved. • Other relevant points. Distribute brochure at libraries, convenience stores, senior centers, town halls, community centers, civic clubs, County volunteer boards, Board of Commissioner meetings, county offices, animal shelter, etc, Sample draft of simplified wording for public ad In 1954 the Orange County Board of Commissioners was expanded from three members to five members. Commissioners have been elected "at large," which means registered Orange County voters could select from all candidates. On November 7, 2006, the people of Orange County will decide if there will be changes in the way Commissioners are elected. A referendum will appear on the ballot to possibly alter the number of Commissioners and how they aze elected. The referendum proposes to increase the Board from five to seven members. This same referendum splits Orange County into two voting districts, District 1 would consist of the southern, urbanized two-thirds of Chapel Hill Township. The divider line generally runs along I-40 east of Hwy 86 and the Chapel Hill - Carrboro School District boundary west of Hwy 86. (A detailed description of the boundary is contained in the wording of the referendum.) District 2 will be the largely rural remainder of Orange County. Three Board members will reside in District 1, two members will reside in District 2, and two members will be elected At-Large and may live anywhere in Orange County. In the Primary, only residents of a District may vote for the Commissioner candidate or candidates who reside in that District and seek to represent that District. All eligible voters in Orange County may vote in the primary and general election for At-Large candidates. For the general election, all Orange County voters can vote for' candidate(s) representing District 1 and District 2, and serving At-Large.. Commissioners will continue to serve four-year terms staggered with half of the Board members elected every two years. 77zis is a simplified description. The detailed referendum wording is available on t&e Orange County website azzd in public libraries.