2026 Referendum: Proposed electoral structure change to Board of Commissioners

HomeNewsNews2026 Referendum: Proposed electoral structure change to Board of Commissioners
Dec 17,2025

During the November 2026 General Election, Currituck County voters will decide whether to retain or alter the county’s current electoral structure for the Board of Commissioners. The board identified modifying the electoral structure as a priority following feedback from voters during the 2024 election cycle and included the priority on its 2025-2026 legislative agenda.

Currently, the board’s electoral structure is comprised of seven members: five from residency districts and two elected at-large. Residency district candidates must reside in their district, even though they are elected countywide.

The board proposes altering the structure to a combination of electoral districts and at-large seats. Under this electoral structure, a district candidate must reside within the electoral district and is elected by the district. The at-large candidates would continue to be elected countywide. Electoral districts are based on population and must be “substantially equal” in population. In North Carolina, that means plus or minus 5% of the ideal district population.

In consultation with elections and redistricting experts, the board has identified two options for voters’ consideration: a 5-district plan and a 6-district plan. Both plans seek, to the extent possible, to retain districts to their current configuration and to follow natural boundaries and physical features.

Citizen Feedback

  • The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed options at its regular meeting on January 5, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the Historic Courthouse.
  • Citizens may email comments to the Board of Commissioners at commissioners@currituckcountync.gov

 

Interactive Electoral District Map

An online Interactive Map has been created to show the proposed electoral districts of both plans, as well as the existing residency electoral districts for commissioners. Citizens may locate their address on the map to determine which electoral district they reside in and compare the proposals with existing districts.

 

5-District Plan

  • Maintains two at-large seats but adjusts the five proposed electoral district boundaries to balance population.
  • The ideal district population for the proposed 5-district plan is 5,620.
  • 5-District Map Printable PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6-District Plan

  • Proposes six electoral districts and retains one at-large seat.
  • The ideal district population for the proposed 6-district plan is 4,683.
  • 6-District Map Printable PDF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Existing Residency Electoral Districts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Presented at Board of Commissioners Work Sessions

 

Next Steps

Following the public hearing, the board will select one of the plans and adopt a resolution that calls for a special election referendum on adoption of the new structure. The referendum will be placed on the November 2026 General Election ballot and citizens will vote to either keep the current electoral district format or adopt the new structure.