Currently, the five-member Watauga County Board of Commissioners (Board) are each nominated from a separate district but are elected to the Board in a countywide election on a partisan basis for two and four-year staggered terms. Every two years, three of the five commissioner seats come up for election, with the lowest vote getter serving a two-year term, and the remaining two Commissioners serving four-year terms.

Changes the commissioners’ term lengths so that every commissioner serves a staggered four-year term. Commissioners must now reside in one of the five single-member districts described in the act and are now elected only by the voters residing in that district. Sets out the five districts. Provides for the following election schedule to implement staggered four-year terms: (1) in 2024 and every four years after, the members from Districts 3,4, and 5 must each serve a four-year term and (2) in 2026, and every four years after, the members of Districts 1 and 2 must each serve a four-year term. Applies to elections held on or after the act becomes law.