Modification of County Commissioner Elections

Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REENGROSSED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted in the House of Introduction HOUSE BILL 26-1203 LLS NO. 26-0593.04 Rebecca Bayetti x4348 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Marshall and Bacon, Clifford, Garcia, Jackson, Joseph, Mabrey, Martinez, Nguyen, Rutinel, Smith, Velasco, Woodrow, Lindsay, Sirota SENATE SPONSORSHIP Benavidez and Liston, Hinrichsen House Committees Senate Committees State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs A BILL FOR AN ACT THE MODIFICATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS.

Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more, the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 or 5 commissioners. If the board consists of 3 commissioners, the county is divided into 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district by voters in the district or voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the board may consist of 5 commissioners, in which case the county may be Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.

March 16, 2026 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.) HOUSE Bill Summary 3rd Reading Unamended CONCERNING HOUSE Amended 2nd Reading March 13, 2026 divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected pursuant to numerous methods, including by district, at large, or by some combination of both methods. The bill eliminates this discretionary system and instead requires any county with a population of 70,000 or more (covered county) to elect 5 commissioners by one of the following 2 methods: ! 5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts; or ! 5 commissioners elected at large using a ranked voting method. The board of a covered county is required to adopt a resolution designating the 2 alternative methods of electing the 5 county commissioners no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting in the calendar year 2027 or its first regularly scheduled meeting in the month following becoming a covered county. The board is required to refer the resolution to the electors of the county at the first general election following its adoption for those electors to select their preferred method of electing the 5 commissioners. A covered county that already elects its commissioners according to one of the 2 alternative methods of election is not required to pass a resolution. A home rule county that elects more than half of its county commissioners by district or using a ranked voting method is exempt from the requirements of the bill. The bill also makes conforming amendments.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-205, amend (3) as follows:

1-4-205. County commissioners.

(3) (a) In each county having a population of seventy thousand or more, the board of county commissioners may MUST consist either of three members, any two of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, or of five members, any three of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; EXCEPT THAT THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSIST OF FIVE MEMBERS DOES NOT APPLY TO A HOME RULE COUNTY THAT ELECTS MORE THAN HALF OF ITS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY A DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, SUCH THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS AND ARE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

(b) If the board consists of three commissioners, they shall MUST be elected as provided in subsection (2) of this section and as provided in section 30-10-306.7 (5), C.R.S. BY DISTRICT ONLY, IN WHICH THE THREE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN THREE DISTRICTS ARE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

(c) In any county having a population of seventy thousand or more, the membership of the board of county commissioners may be increased from three to five members pursuant to section 30-10-306.5, C.R.S., or decreased from five to three members pursuant to section 30-10-306.7 (2)(a)(II), C.R.S. SECTION 30-10-306.8.

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-801, amend (2)(e) introductory portion, (2)(e)(II) introductory portion, (2)(e)(II)(B), and (2)(f) as follows:

1-4-801. Designation of party candidates by petition.

(2) The signature requirements for the petition are as follows:

(e) Where the electors of the county have voted to increase WHEN A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE INCREASES the membership of the board of county commissioners from three to five pursuant to section 30-10-306.5, C.R.S., or to decrease the membership of the board from five to three pursuant to section 30-10-306.7, C.R.S., TO COMPLY WITH SECTIONS 1-4-205 (3) AND 30-10-306.8, for the next two primary elections immediately following an election at which the voters have approved the change in the membership of the board, the signature requirements for the petition are as follows:

(II) Where any one or more commissioners to be elected to the board of county commissioners will be voted on only by the electors residing in a particular county commissioner district, the determination of the required number of signers must begin with a calculation of the average of all votes cast in each commissioner district in the county during the prior two contested or uncontested primary elections for the political party's candidates in the county commissioner districts that held a primary election in either of those elections. Upon a determination of the average, that number must then be divided by the total number of commissioner districts in the county where commissioners are voted on only by the electors residing in the district. whether three or five After completing this calculation, every petition must require signers equal in number to twenty percent of the number realized. If no primary election was held in either year, the calculation must be based on the most recent preceding general election for which the party had a candidate on the ballot, and every petition must require signers equal in number to the following calculation:

(B) Divide the number found in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II) SUBSECTION (2)(e)(II)(A) OF THIS SECTION by the total number of commissioner districts in the county where commissioners are voted on only by the electors residing in the district. whether three or five

(f) Following the first two primary elections that are conducted after a change in the membership of the board of county commissioners pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S. SECTIONS 1-4-205

(3) AND 30-10-306.8, in accordance with the requirements of paragraph

(e) of this subsection (2) SUBSECTION (2)(e) OF THIS SECTION, the signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner candidate who is affiliated with a major political party must follow the procedures specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-802, amend (2) introductory portion, (2)(b)(II), and (2)(c); and repeal (3) as follows: 1-4-802. Petitions for nominating minor political party and unaffiliated candidates for a partisan office.

(2) Where the electors of the county have voted to increase WHEN A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE INCREASES the membership of the board of county commissioners from three to five pursuant to section 30-10-306.5, C.R.S., or to decrease the membership of the board from five to three pursuant to section 30-10-306.7, C.R.S., TO COMPLY WITH SECTIONS 1-4-205 (3) AND 30-10-306.8, for the next two general elections immediately following an election at which the voters have approved a THE change in the membership of the board, the signature requirements for the petition to select candidates who do not wish to affiliate with a major political party are as follows:

(b) Where any one or more commissioners to be elected to the board of county commissioners will be voted on only by the electors residing in a particular county commissioner district, every petition must require signers equal in number to the lesser of either:

(II) The number realized by first determining two percent of the average of all votes cast in each county commissioner district for which there was a race on the ballot during the most recent general election, and then dividing that number by the total number of commissioner districts in the county where commissioners are voted on only by the electors residing in a district. whether three or five

(c) Following the first two general elections that are conducted after a THE change in the membership of the board of county commissioners, pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S., the signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner candidate who does not wish to affiliate with a major political party must follow the procedures specified in: subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (c) of subsection (1) (I) SUBSECTION (1)(c)(VI) of this section, IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED BY DISTRICT ONLY AS DESCRIBED IN

SECTION 30-10-306.8 (3); OR

(II) SUBSECTION (1)(c)(VII) OF THIS SECTION, IF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED BY A COMBINATION OF AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT VOTING METHODS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 30-10-306.8 (4).

(3) Following the first two general elections that are conducted after a change in the membership of the board of county commissioners pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or 30-10-306.7, C.R.S., the signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner candidate who does not wish to affiliate with a major political party must follow the procedures specified in subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (c) of subsection

(1) of this section.

SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-10-306, amend (1) and (2) as follows:

30-10-306. Commissioners' districts - vacancies - definitions.

(1) Each county HAVING A POPULATION OF LESS THAN SEVENTY THOUSAND must be divided into three compact districts by the board of county commissioners. Each district must be as nearly equal in population as possible based on the redistricting population data prepared by staff of the legislative council and office of legislative legal services, or any successor offices, in accordance with section 2-2-902. In no event shall there be more than five percent deviation between the most populous and the least populous district in each county, at the time such district boundaries are adopted. Each district must be numbered consecutively and must not be subject to alteration more often than once every two years. One county commissioner must be elected from each of such districts DISTRICT by the voters of the whole county. If any county commissioner, during his or her THEIR term of office, moves from the district in which he or she THEY resided when elected, his or her THE COMMISSIONER'S office thereupon becomes vacant. All proceedings by the board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.

(2) Each county having a population of seventy thousand or more that has chosen to increase the members of the board of county commissioners from three to five must be divided into three or five districts. by the board of county commissioners according to the method of election described in section 30-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or section

30-10-306.7. When applicable, the board of county commissioners shall divide the county into districts in accordance with the final redistricting plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4. The districts must be as nearly equal in population as possible based on the redistricting population data prepared by staff of the legislative council and office of legislative legal services, or any successor offices, in accordance with section 2-2-902. In no event shall there be more than five percent deviation between the most populous and the least populous district in each county, at the time such district boundaries are adopted. Each district must be numbered consecutively and is not subject to alteration more often than once every two years; except that, notwithstanding subsection

(3) of this section, the board may alter the districts to conform to precinct boundaries that are changed in accordance with section 1-5-103 (1), based on the division of the state into congressional districts or an approved plan for redistricting of the members of the general assembly when necessary to ensure that no precinct is located in more than one district.

County commissioners are elected at large or from districts according to the method of election described in section 30-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or section 30-10-306.7 SECTION 1-4-205 (3)(b) OR SECTION 30-10-306.8 (3) OR (4). If any county commissioner required to be resident in a district moves during his or her THEIR term of office from the district in which he or she THEY resided when elected, his or her THE COMMISSIONER'S office thereupon becomes vacant. All proceedings by the board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.

SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 30-10-306.5 and 30-10-306.7. SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-10-306.8 as follows: 30-10-306.8.

Methods of election for five county commissioners in a county with a population of seventy thousand or more - elections - redistricting.

IN ANY COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE, THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY BE INCREASED FROM THREE TO FIVE MEMBERS PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1.5) OF THIS SECTION. IF THE BOARD CONSISTS OF FIVE MEMBERS, THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MUST BE ELECTED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

(a) BY DISTRICT ONLY, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION; OR

(b) BY A COMBINATION OF AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT VOTING METHODS, AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION.

(1.5) (a) IN ANY COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE WHOSE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSISTS OF THREE MEMBERS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL ADOPT A RESOLUTION INCREASING ITS MEMBERSHIP TO FIVE MEMBERS AND DESIGNATING THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING ITS FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTIONS (3) AND (4) OF THIS SECTION. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL PASS THE RESOLUTION AT ITS FIRST REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING IN EACH DECENNIAL CENSUS YEAR.

(b) THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL REFER THE RESOLUTION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (1.5)(a) OF THIS SECTION TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING ITS ADOPTION SO THAT THE VOTERS MAY CHOOSE WHETHER TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO FIVE MEMBERS AND, IF INCREASED, WHICH OF THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THE VOTERS PREFER.

(c) IF A MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST ARE IN FAVOR OF THE REFERRED RESOLUTION DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1.5), THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE INCREASED NUMBER OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF ELECTION IN THE REFERRED RESOLUTION THAT RECEIVED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST.

(2) (a) (I) IN ANY COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE WHOSE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONSISTS OF FIVE MEMBERS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL ADOPT A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING ITS FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTIONS

(3) AND (4) OF THIS SECTION. THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL PASS THE RESOLUTION NO LATER THAN ITS FIRST REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING IN CALENDAR YEAR 2027.

(II) THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL REFER THE RESOLUTION REQUIRED BY THIS SUBSECTION (2)(a) TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING ITS ADOPTION SO THAT THE VOTERS MAY CHOOSE WHICH OF THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THEY PREFER. THEREAFTER, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF ELECTION IN THE REFERRED RESOLUTION THAT RECEIVED THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOTES CAST.

(b) A COUNTY HAVING A POPULATION OF SEVENTY THOUSAND OR MORE THAT ALREADY ELECTS ITS FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE TWO ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF ELECTION SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION IS NOT REQUIRED TO PASS THE RESOLUTION OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (2)(a) OF THIS SECTION.

(c) (I) A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY ADOPT A RESOLUTION CHANGING THE METHOD OF ELECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FROM ONE ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION TO THE OTHER METHOD, AND SHALL REFER THE RESOLUTION TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING ITS ADOPTION. IF A MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST ARE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL TAKE SUCH ACTION AS IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE ELECTED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION CONTAINED IN THE RESOLUTION.

(II) ALTERNATIVELY, A PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST FIVE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF A COUNTY VOTING FOR ALL CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE AT THE LAST PRECEDING GENERAL ELECTION IS SUFFICIENT TO PLACE ON THE BALLOT AT A GENERAL ELECTION THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD FROM ONE ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION TO THE OTHER METHOD. THE PETITION MUST SPECIFY THE CURRENT METHOD OF ELECTION AND THE PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF ELECTION. THE PETITION MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER PRIOR TO THE NINETIETH DAY BEFORE THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WITH A REQUEST THAT THE QUESTION BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR REFERRAL TO THE REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.

(3) (a) FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN FIVE DISTRICTS MAY BE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS, AS SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3). EACH COUNTY COMMISSIONER SEAT TO WHICH A COMMISSIONER WAS ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (3) MUST BE FILLED BY THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION. IF ANY COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DURING THE COMMISSIONER'S TERM OF OFFICE, MOVES FROM THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER RESIDED WHEN ELECTED, THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE BECOMES VACANT.

(b) IF A COUNTY ADOPTS THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION (3) BUT IS NOT DIVIDED INTO FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICTS, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL CHANGE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS' DISTRICTS TO CREATE FIVE DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 30-10-306 (2) AND THE COUNTY'S FINAL REDISTRICTING PLAN APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 30-10-306.4.

(c) (I) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS' SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION IS HELD IN 2028 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT GENERAL ELECTION AND TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO TWO-YEAR TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS. THEREAFTER, THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH OCCUR EACH FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, AND TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION AND EVERY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER.

(II) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS' SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION IS HELD IN 2030 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT GENERAL ELECTION AND THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO TWO-YEAR TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS.

THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS WHICH OCCUR EACH FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, AND THREE MEMBERS RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS MUST BE ELECTED AT THE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION AND EVERY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER.

(III) BY MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS' SELECTION OF THE DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL DESIGNATE THE DISTRICTS FROM WHICH A COMMISSIONER IS TO BE ELECTED TO AN INITIAL TWO-YEAR TERM DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3)(c).

(4) (a) THREE COMMISSIONERS RESIDENT IN THREE DISTRICTS AND ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS AND TWO COMMISSIONERS ELECTED AT LARGE.

(b) (I) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION SET FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS HELD IN 2028 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT ELECTION. ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THAT ELECTION TO TWO-YEAR TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THOSE TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS BY THEIR RESPECTIVE ELECTION METHOD. THEREAFTER, TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION; AND TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED, ONE BY DISTRICT AND ONE AT LARGE, AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION THAT OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION.

(II) IF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION SET FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS HELD IN 2030 OR ANY FOURTH YEAR THEREAFTER, ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS AT THAT ELECTION. TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THAT ELECTION TO TWO-YEAR TERMS UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH THOSE THREE MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED TO FOUR-YEAR TERMS BY THEIR RESPECTIVE ELECTION METHOD. THEREAFTER, ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION; AND TWO MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT AND ONE MEMBER MUST BE ELECTED AT LARGE AT THE GENERAL ELECTIONS THAT OCCUR EVERY FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION THAT OCCURS TWO YEARS AFTER THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION.

(III) BY MARCH 1 OF THE YEAR OF THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE VOTERS' SELECTION OF THE AT-LARGE AND BY-DISTRICT COMBINATION METHOD OF ELECTION DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (4), THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHALL DESIGNATE THE BY DISTRICT AND AT-LARGE POSITIONS FROM WHICH A COMMISSIONER IS TO BE ELECTED TO AN INITIAL TWO-YEAR TERM AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (4)(b).

(5) ALL PROCEEDINGS BY A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN ELECTING FIVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH SUBSECTION (3) OR (4) OF THIS SECTION ARE CONFIRMED AND VALIDATED.

(6) SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING PETITIONS FOR A RACE INVOLVING A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 1-4-801 FOR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY CANDIDATES AND SECTION 1-4-802 FOR CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT WISH TO AFFILIATE WITH A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY.

(7) A HOME RULE COUNTY IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION IF THE HOME RULE COUNTY ELECTS MORE THAN HALF OF ITS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BY A DISTRICT METHOD OF ELECTION, SUCH THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE RESIDENT IN DISTRICTS AND ARE ELECTED BY VOTERS RESIDENT IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.