Hart County Gets Approval for New Board of Elections

Governor Nathan Deal has signed legislation that will create a new Hart County Board of Elections and a new Hart County Elections Superintendent position.

The new Board of Elections and Superintendent will replace the current system under which Hart County Probate Judge Bob Smith oversees elections.

It will also eliminate the current Board of Registrars.  At their regular meeting this week, Hart County attorney Walter Gordon outlined the transition process to the Hart County Board of Commissioners.

“The legislation is drawn such that the current elections supervisor and current Board of Registrar will continue for the remainder of this year through the November elections,” Gordon said. “The new Board of Elections and new superintendent will take over January 1.”

Gordon said even though the law takes effect July1 at the start of the State’s new fiscal year, the current system with Smith and the Board of Registrars will continue through the remainder of the calendar year.

Meantime, the Board of Commissioners also approved extra funding for the Hart County Board of Registrar’s office for the upcoming May General Primary.

County Registrar John Stercho told the board extra personnel will be needed for the election and for early voting, which begins next week.

Stercho said another issue is the number of different absentee ballots that will be sent out.  After hearing from Stercho, the board approved an additional $3,612 for the May General Primary election.