LELAND — After months of discussions, a protest and more than 90 minutes of overwhelmingly negative public comment, Leland Town Council did not take action on exploring district-based elections last week. It effectively left the issue dormant after a motion to halt further discussion failed to receive a second.
Council member Frank Pendleton, sworn in last November, has been a vocal critic of voting districts, which have been discussed in some form or fashion in the town for years. Pendleton put forth a motion to pause conversations until the 2030 Census is completed but did not receive a second, rendering it dead.
The Census matters because of reflecting proper population count. If voting districts were put in place now, it would mean the 2020 Census numbers — close to 23,000 — would be used. However, Leland has experienced rapid growth in recent years, escalating to over 33,000 residents. By using the 2020 data, there would be a gap between the data versus the reality of how many people live in any given area, leaving voting districts uneven.
READ MORE: Packed house, heated debate: Leland election overhaul up for discussion
Districts would be divided into geographic groups with similar population rates, and voters would elect only one council member to represent their district rather than voting for the entire board. Currently, Leland uses an at-large system, meaning voters pick from a pool of candidates and the four individuals with the largest number of votes win.
Council member Veronica Carter criticized Pendleton’s motion, telling Port City Daily she thought it was “political theater.”
By the time 2030 Census data would be finalized, there would be a potential two to three council turnovers, meaning a future board would have to abide by the motion rather than something actionable for current council.
Carter has been supportive of exploring possible voting districts.
“About a month ago I made a motion not to vote on voting districts, but to vote on getting maps to see what districts might look like. And I wanted to do that, one to disprove some of the misinformation,” Carter said during Thursday’s meeting.
But the board voted against her motion.
“Since the vote was not challenged and the majority of the council voted to not get those maps and to not proceed, I frankly don’t know why we’re here,” she added.
Her colleague, Bob Campbell, also favors voting districts, but would prefer them be residency districts. This organizes candidates by districts to serve the region in which they reside. However, voters would be able to vote for the entirety of council, not just those representative of their district.
Campbell believes residency districts would ensure each voter in Leland — now often referred to as “Old Leland,” along the Village Road area, and “New Leland,” along U.S. 17 — feels represented by council. Campbell said “Old Leland” has not had a representative since he was elected 11 years ago.
Council member Leland Hyer and Mayor Brenda Bozeman didn’t respond to Port City Daily about their decision to forego voting on Pendleton’s motion at Thursday’s meeting.
The voting districts have been a controversial topic over the last four months.
In February, Town Manager David Hollis presented information regarding the legality and possibilities of voting districts for the board consideration. Council has had three meetings since to learn about various modes of elections and how districts may look for Leland.
At an April workshop, a proposed process for determining district scenarios, mapping, alternatives, and implementation was discussed and presented by Allen Serkin, executive director for the Cape Fear Council of Governments. Serkin faced audience pushback during his presentation and councilmember Leland Hyer had to call a point of order.
Pendleton said he would prefer district-voting to go to a referendum for the public to decide and suggested it for the next municipal or general election.
“This is too big an issue for this council to decide,” Pendleton said, but that motion also died without a second.
“I don’t think we’re ready to make any decisions tonight, this was supposed to be a learning process,” Bozeman said.
No further action was taken.
However, in a separate council meeting the following month, Bozeman asked for the district to be added to the June agenda to allow for public feedback since no one could speak at the April 23 workshop.
More than 100 people showed up to last Thursday’s council meeting, a majority of people against it because of concerns around gerrymandering, loss of voting power and lack of council accountability. Thirty-two protesters picketed at town hall before the meeting as well.
Around 32 individuals took the mic during last week’s public comment; one was President of Better Government for Leland, Inc, Rhonda Florian, the organization behind Thursday’s protest.
She presented the board with a Change.org petition in opposition to district voting, which had garnered 1,029 signatures. By press, the number has risen to 1,127.
Florian shared she and other likeminded individuals were prepared to campaign for a referendum should the board vote in favor of districts. According to Florian approximately 2,800 signatures would be needed under general statute 160A-103; it indicates a referendum petition needs to be signed by at least 10% of all registered voters in city elections. She added there are already 130 volunteers ready to gather signatures.
“We will go to the mat to preserve our right to elect the council members we choose,” Florian said before urging Bozeman, largely considered the tie-breaking vote, to oppose voting districts. “You are the one who will either save our town or bring down mayhem upon us. Madame mayor, you have devoted over 20 years of service to this town. Please don’t leave behind a legacy of your town torn bleeding and plunged into division and chaos for years to come.”
Voter representation was a significant argument used both for and against districts. Proponents believed voting districts would help smaller communities in Leland be better represented by the local government rather than being overpowered by “the big three” residential neighborhoods: Brunswick Forest, Magnolia Green, and Waterford.
Trudy Trombley, a Leland resident, spoke to her experience living in Texas where there were both voting at-large and voting districts. She favored the districts.
“You could have three people from one neighborhood on the council. And as much as we try to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to be fair,’ you’re going to be pushing for your agenda, for your area,” Trombley said. “I believe that districts are a way for everyone to have a voice rather than just a few people.”
However, others viewed district voting as a means of diluting the electorate’s voice.
“Redistricting limits the taxpayers’ ability to vote out politicians who do not represent their interests,” Sharon Hodson said. “I want my vote to count for each position in our town government, just as each of my tax dollars supports town’s costs.”
Citizens also stressed that altering the election system wouldn’t change people feeling underrepresented. Instead, those in local government needed to change how they lead and question why some constituents may not feel seen.
“If I was a member of this board I would take that as a personal attack,” Scott Watson said. “That’s a failure on our current board. You’re not doing your job.”
After 90 minutes of public comment and criticisms, tensions arose during council conversation, particularly between Pendleton and Mayor Bozeman. The mayor claimed Pendleton was the first to bring up districts, which he denied. Pendleton iterated that town manager Hollis had brought it up in February, with council requesting staff to further look into it.
“That was an interesting way to bring up the topic because I’ve been the one that’s been completely against it,” Pendleton told Port City Daily.
During the meeting Bozeman addressed Pendleton: “Don’t say I’m lying, I’m not lying.”
The pair continued a back and forth until Campbell suggested a 5 minute “cool down.” After the board reconvened, Pendleton introduced his motion. Once it died, no further conversation was had.
“The issue is pretty much dead as far as I’m concerned,” Campbell told Port City Daily. “I don’t see us pursuing it any further.”
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