In November 1988, voters approved the creation of a new form of government for Orange County: a mayor elected by the community at large and the creation of six single-member districts. The mayor and commissioners serve overlapping four-year terms. The mayor and commissioners for districts 2, 4, and 6 are elected during alternate years (2006, 2010, 2014); commissioners representing districts 1, 3, and 5 are elected in presidential election years (2008, 2012, 2016).
In November 2004, voters approved a change to the Orange County Charter to reflect the name change of County Chairman to County Mayor. The Orange County Charter is the legal document which county government operates day to day business.