In a tight Democratic primary involving 3 candidates for 2 seats in Orange County's district 1, civil rights attorney and former Carrboro alderman Mark Dorosin came out ahead with 10,474 votes. He will be joined on the Board of Commissioners by current Chapel Hill Town Council member Penny Rich (9709 votes). Because there was no Republican primary in district 1 this year, Dorosin and Rich will take their seats after the general election in November. They will replace outgoing commissioner Valerie Foushee and incumbent commissioner Pam Hemminger (9167 votes).

In the statewide vote, Amendment One passed easily with 61% of the vote. However, Orange County overwhelmingly rejected the amendment by a vote of 79% to 21%. (Our neighbors in Durham County likewise voted 70% to 30% against the amendment.) Some precincts in Carrboro and Chapel Hill voted against the amendment almost unanimously. The map below shows the Orange County precinct-level results of the referendum.

It's OP's annual Election Day Open thread to report back what you're seeing and share any other election-related thoughts. We didn't have a Pundit of the Year contest this time, but I'm still curious to hear your predictions. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours...

Last Monday, candidates running in this Tuesday’s primary submitted their first campaign finance reports of the cycle. The Orange County Board of Elections posted these reports last week, and if you’re interested in looking through them, they’re available here. If you don’t have that kind of time, then here’s some relevant information you might find useful to know, sorted by district and candidate.

District 1

Mark Dorosin
Raised: $10,364.15
Total Aggregate Contributions: 77
Total Donors Reported: 45
Cash on Hand: $5,650.08

Early voting is well underway, and many of you have already made up your minds about who to vote for. This is our annual special-rules post to learn who your favorites on this year's ballot. Here's OP's 2012 candidate list including links to all of their websites. And our eletion info in general is at orangepolitics.org/elections-2012.

The rules: only write who you are voting for (and why, if you like). You may also list the people you would vote for if you lived in their districts. Do not refer (by name or specific description) to any candidates that you are not publicly supporting. If you do not follow the rules, your comments will be removed. (You are free to write comments on other posts, or even post your own blog entry, that are critical of the candidates. In fact, you are warmly invited to do so!)

Early voting opened with a bang Monday.

1270 early voters countywide Monday, here are totals by location: 

• Ramshead on campus 605
• Carrboro Town Hall 226
• Seymour Center 243
• BOE office in Hillsborough 168
• Mt Zion (Cedar Grove) 28

Welcome to the open thread for tonight's Orange County Board of Commissioners candidate forum for the Democratic primary election. There are three candidates for two seats in District 1, two candidates for one seat in District 2, and one candidate unopposed for an at-large seat.

You can observe the forum at http://orangepolitics.org/elections-2012/forums/county-commissioners.

We hope you'll use this open thread to post your thoughts and reactions. Also, if you want to propose additional discussion topics, you can reach the editors during the forum via Twitter, Facebook, and the contact page. The forum moderator will have final say in question selection.