County Commissioner Elections

Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more, the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 commissioners from 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district by voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the board may consist of 5 commissioners, the county may be divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected pursuant to one of 10 alternative methods. The bill eliminates this discretionary system and instead requires that all counties with a population of 70,000 or more have 5 commissioners, with at least 3 commissioners elected only by voters resident in the district from which each commissioner runs for election. The bill allows the counties to choose between 3 election alternatives: 3 commissioners resident in 3 districts elected by voters resident in those districts and 2 commissioners elected at large; 4 commissioners resident in 4 districts elected by voters resident in those district and one commissioner elected at large; or 5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts. The bill makes conforming amendments to statutory provisions concerning commissioner districts and election petition statutes. The bill does not affect counties that have adopted home rule. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)