Athens Representative Houston Gaines has confirmed that legislation that would change the formation of the Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections will not pass this session.
A pair of bills sponsored by Athens-area Republicans were sent back to committee Monday. With the end of the legislative session Friday, the bills will not make it to the floor.
Representative Houston Gaines introduced House Bills 851 and 852 last week. The bills sought to abolish the Board of Elections in Athens-Clarke County and change the way its members are appointed. On Monday, the bills were pulled from the House and recommitted to the Intragovernmental Coordination Committee.
In a statement Tuesday, Representative Houston Gaines said that discussions would resume in the fall to address the “legal and policy issues with the current makeup of the Board.”
Gaines had previously said that the current method of local political party committees directly selecting members of the Board is “likely unconstitutional.” Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Chairperson Rocky Raffle, said Monday that those legal issues are groundless.
“He referenced a Supreme Court decision of which I can find no record of. There was a letter that was shared with me that is from legislative counsel providing advice on the topic. The letter clearly states there was no case.” Attempts to abolish the Board of Elections have also ruffled other members of local government. The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission will meet Tuesday night to consider passing a resolution to oppose the abolition of the body.
