None of the speakers had good things to say Tuesday about the proposed Wake County school board redistricting maps.

As noted in today's article, most of the speakers were critics of the board majority who questioned both the way the new maps were developed and the boundary lines used. Another gripe was about school board members Chris Malone and John Tedesco saying ahead of time they wouldn't support making revisions to the maps.

Jim Martin kicked things off with questions about the changes, particularly in southwestern Wake. He said that area has been "a pawn in annexation discussions" and other issues.

UPDATE

Click here to view the proposed map from Jim Martin.

Early voting opened Monday in the city's mayoral and three City
Council races, and Tuesday night all eight candidates made their
pitches to about 30 voters at a forum held by the League of Women
Voters.

Incumbent Mayor Bill Bell and council members Cora
Cole-McFadden, Howard Clement and Mike Woodard talked about experience
and achievement during their times in office.

Challengers Steven L. Williams, Donald Hughes, Matt Drew and
Allan Polak talked about “difference,” “new leadership,” “fresh air”
and “different kinds of experience,” respectively.

For Bull Citizens' ready reference, the city attorney's Web site has a FAQ on how municipal elections are done and changes proposed for them.

See www.durhamnc.gov/departments/attorney/pdf/election_faq.pdf.

With Durham's city council considering a change in how it gets elected, the League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham, and Chatham Counties holds a forum on  election methods at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the main Durham County Library.

The public is invited.

The City Council holds a public hearing April 6 on changing from a primary-general election system to a single plurality election.

The Durham County Board of Elections estimates that, by eliminating the primary, Durham taxpayers would save between $170,000 and $180,000 each municipal election year.

The change would not affect elections for county and school-board positions.

Participants in the League forum include:

• Donald L. Horowitz, James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political Science
• Robert P. Joyce, UNC Professor of Public Law and Government
• Torrey Dixon of FairVoteNC
• Bob Hall, Executive Director of Democracy NC

Citizens who wish to speak at the April 6 hearing may call the City Clerk at 560-4166 to have their names put on the list. The clerk's office is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.