Leland residents voice concerns over proposed voting districts during town council meeting

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of residents packed Leland Town Hall on Thursday night to voice concerns about a proposal that could change how the town elects its leaders.

Ahead of the Leland Town Council meeting, a group of residents gathered outside Town Hall to protest the possibility of creating voting districts within the town. The issue later drew significant public comment during the council meeting, where residents shared concerns about moving away from the town’s current at-large election system.

Leland currently elects its mayor and four town council members through at-large voting, meaning all registered voters in the town can cast ballots for every council seat and the mayor.

Under a district-based system, voters would generally only be able to vote for candidates representing the district in which they live.

Several residents argued that such a change would reduce their voting power by limiting the number of candidates they can vote for in local elections.

Among those speaking during the public comment period was resident Barry Long, who opposed the proposed change and called for voters to have a direct say in the decision.

“I firmly believe, like some of the other folks that spoke, that this should go to a referendum where the public decides,” Long told the council. “So in other words, this would be on the ballot in November. That’s the only real fair way to do it, because this is a big change. It’s a change to our city charter.”

The discussion was informational only, and the council did not take any action or vote on districting during Thursday’s meeting.

It remains unclear whether the council will consider a formal proposal in the future or when any potential vote on the issue might occur.