Although we try to stay neutral in the ongoing politics in the area, something was recently brought to our attention that we thought worthy to share.
In 2016 the citizens of Wake County will be going to the polls for the primary and general elections to vote for county commissioners in accordance with changes implemented by Senate Bill 181, passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2015. There are currently seven county commissioners each residing in one of the seven districts, identified as 1 thru 7, and referred to as the “numbered districts.” Senate Bill 181, creates two new regional districts, A and B, referred to as the “lettered districts.” These new lettered districts effectively “overlay” the existing seven districts. For the most part, but with some exceptions, District A comprises the central part and more urbanized areas of the county including most of the City of Raleigh. District B comprises the more suburban and rural areas outside of the City of Raleigh. Maps of the lettered and numbered districts are below. After the 2016 elections, there will be nine commissioners, seven from the existing numbered districts and two from the new lettered districts.
For the 2016 county commissioners’ election, three of the numbered districts are on the ballot, districts 4, 5 and 6, along with the new lettered districts A and B. Prior to this election, while a commissioner had to reside in the district for which he or she was running, it was a county wide at large vote. In 2016, the vote on districts 4, 5 and 6 will be county wide, at large votes as in previous elections. But for Districts A and B, the candidates will be voted on by district. Therefore, for this year’s election, each voter will vote for a candidate from his or her respective lettered district (A or B) and for a candidate for each of the numbered districts up for election, districts 4, 5 and 6. The successful candidates for each lettered district will serve a four year term. The successful candidates for the numbered districts will each serve two year terms.
For the 2018 election, all seven numbered districts will be on the ballot and successful candidates will serve four year terms. Also, for the 2018 election and going forward, all county commissioner races will be “district only.” That is, a candidate for a district can only be voted for by a resident of that district. Therefore in 2018 residents will only be voting for two commissioners, one numbered district candidate and one lettered district candidate.
The new districts will be part of both the primary and general elections for 2016. The primary is on March 15th and the general election is on November 8th. If you have further questions, you can go to the Wake County Board of Elections web site at www.wakegov/elections, including information on how you can confirm your voting district online.
So why are we telling you this? There is a local resident that was born and raised on the border of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina running for this new position. John Adcock is an attorney with his office in downtown Fuquay-Varina. John’s family has been in this community for generations.
We are not officially endorsing John, but since this is a brand new item on the ballot, we want to make sure that you have an opportunity to educate yourself before going to vote.
