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Cusseta–Chattahoochee Commission adopts charter amendment to create Board of Elections, set to assume duties Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
On Nov. 12 the commission approved the second reading of a home‑rule ordinance adding a three‑member Board of Elections and Registration to the county charter, consistent with O.C.G.A. §21‑2‑40.1; the ordinance sets staggered terms and a process for hiring an elections supervisor.
The Board of Commissioners for the Unified Government of Cusseta–Chattahoochee County approved the second reading of a charter amendment on Nov. 12 that creates a three‑member Board of Elections and Registration and implements provisions required by state law.
The ordinance cites O.C.G.A. §21‑2‑40.1 and directs the county to establish a board "no later than December 15, 2024," with the Board of Elections assuming the duties of the county election superintendent and the board of registrars beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The ordinance text (adopted as Exhibit A in the record) specifies that members must be county electors appointed by the Board of Commissioners; the initial appointments are staggered so one initial member's term ends Dec. 31, 2026, and two initial members' terms end Dec. 31, 2028; subsequent terms are four years.
The ordinance also requires the board to organize itself, hold regular monthly meetings in compliance with Georgia's open‑meetings and open‑records laws, and establish bylaws and policies. It directs the newly created board to recommend one to three candidates to the county manager for the elections‑supervisor position; the county manager will hire the elections supervisor and may accept or reject the board's recommendations.
Commission discussion and next steps: Commissioners approved the second reading unanimously. A Nov. 25 work session discussed potential initial appointees (Nancy Hoard, Valerie Lassiter, Crystal Walker) and added those names to the Dec. 3 agenda for formal appointment and training planning. County staff said training for poll workers and supervisors would be available before the board assumes duties Jan. 1, 2025.
Why it matters: The ordinance implements a state directive that affects how voter registration, absentee ballots and election administration are overseen locally. The change transfers duties previously held by the probate‑court superintendent and the board of registrars to the new elected board structure described in the ordinance and requires public transparency, administrative staffing and compliance with state election law.
