Commission adopts charter amendment to create three-member Board of Elections; appointments to follow

On Nov. 12 the commission approved an ordinance amending the Unified Government charter to create a three-member Board of Elections and Registration for Cusseta–Chattahoochee County and included Exhibit A detailing board composition and duties.

The ordinance and Exhibit A (included in the meeting packet) specify that the board will have three members who must be electors and residents of the county and will be appointed by the commissioners; initial members will serve staggered terms and subsequent terms are four years. The Exhibit references O.C.G.A. § 21-2-40.1 and states that the board shall assume the duties of the election superintendent and the board of registrars relating to registration and absentee balloting beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The packet also describes the board’s authority to hire an elections supervisor, its meeting rules, and that the Board of Commissioners must provide offices and equipment.

The Nov. 25 work session noted three recommended candidates (Nancy Hoard, Valerie Lassiter and Crystal Walker) and the County Manager asked that their appointments be added to the Dec. 3 regular meeting agenda. During the Nov. 12 meeting the second reading of the ordinance was moved and seconded and recorded as approved unanimously.

The ordinance text and Exhibit contain dates and internal references; the meeting minutes cite the packet material and do not include the final filing steps required by state law (filing with the Georgia Secretary of State). The commission’s packet and minutes indicate the board will be in place to assume election duties as required by state statute; commissioners will appoint members at a subsequent meeting.