Athens Representative Houston Gaines introduced legislation this week that would change how members of Athens-Clarke County’s Board of Elections are decided.
Houston Gaines, Republican of Athens, introduced the legislation Tuesday. The first of the two bills would abolish Athens-Clarke County’s Board of Elections on June 30th. The second bill would change the way board members are appointed. Currently, the two county-level political party committees each appoint one member, while the final three are chosen by the Mayor and Commission of Athens Clarke-County.
Under Gaines’ proposed legislation, the two county-level political party committees would each select a member. The final three would be picked by the Mayor and Commission from nominees selected by the four judges in the circuit including Athens and Oconee Counties.
According to their personal websites, at least two of these judges live in Oconee County.
The legislation has been assigned to a House Committee.
