Overview

The County Attorney provides legal guidance to the county Board of Elections and the Election Supervisor. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022). They attend Board of Elections meetings, especially for important matters and voter challenge hearings. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022). They also interact with outside parties requesting information from the elections department and represent the county in legal matters and litigation. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022).

Election-Related Duties

The key duties of the County Attorney vary from county to county, but some examples are:

1. Providing counsel at meetings. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022).
2. Providing formal, written guidance. See e.g., DeKalb Cnty. Bd. of Registrations and Elections, “Responding to § 229 Challenges.”
3. Interacting with outside partners. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022).
4. Representing the county in legal matters and litigation. *Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official* (Oct. 18, 2022).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• While the specific appointment process might vary from county to county, and the role might be outsourced in some counties, every county attorney is appointed by the governing authority of the county, and serves as an at-will employee. Hardy, “Other Cnty. Officials” at 65.
• Qualifications: In order for an individual to be eligible to serve as a County Attorney, they must be a licensed attorney in the State of Georgia. O.C.G.A. § 15-19-51(a) (prohibiting anyone that is not a “duly licensed attorney at law” from “practic[ing] or appear[ing] as an attorney … for any person other than himself in any court of this state” or “render[ing] or furnish[ing] legal services or advice,” among other prohibitions).