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Commission adopts home‑rule ordinance creating three‑member Board of Elections; appointments discussed for Dec. 3
Summary
The commission passed a home‑rule ordinance amending the county charter to create a three‑member Board of Elections and Registration, aligning with O.C.G.A. §21‑2‑40.1 and the state’s HB 581 timetable. The board discussed candidates to fill staggered terms and added appointments to the Dec. 3 agenda.
The Unified Government of Cusseta‑Chattahoochee County adopted a home‑rule ordinance on Nov. 12 amending Article V of the county charter to create a three‑member Board of Elections and Registration, as required by state law (O.C.G.A. §21‑2‑40.1). The ordinance establishes staggered terms for initial appointees, outlines appointment mechanics, defines the board’s duties (including voter registration, absentee ballots and primary/election conduct), and authorizes an elections supervisor and staff positions subject to county personnel rules.
County Attorney Bin Minter cited the statutory timetable for counties where the probate judge has served as election superintendent and summarized that the new board will assume the superintendent and registrar duties beginning Jan. 1, 2025, unless the county opts out under the statute. The proposed charter language (EXHIBIT A in the record) sets the board’s membership, meeting and appointment procedures and requires compliance with open‑meetings and records laws.
At a Nov. 25 work session the county manager recommended three local residents—Nancy Hoard, Valerie Lassiter and Crystal Walker—for appointment to the new board; those names were added to the Dec. 3 regular meeting agenda for formal action. County staff advised that the board’s compensation would be set by the commissioners and that the elections supervisor would be a county employee subject to county pay and personnel policies.
Why it matters: The change implements a state‑mandated structural shift in local election administration and creates a permanent locally appointed board with responsibility for elections and voter registration. The move changes how the county manages elections starting Jan. 1, 2025, and requires commissioners to make appointments and set compensation and office support.
Next steps: The ordinance was adopted (second reading approved by recorded vote), the county added proposed appointments to the Dec. 3 agenda, and staff must finalize office arrangements and the elections supervisor hiring process before the Jan. 1, 2025 implementation date.
