Overview

The County Board of Registrars is responsible for maintaining accurate and current county voter registration information. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-228(a) (noting that boards of registrars are “charged with the duty of examining from time to time the qualifications of each” voter). It also receives and investigates challenges (See O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-229, 21-2-230), and determines whether provisional ballots are valid and should be counted in an election. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-419(b).

The Board of Registrars is headed by the Chief Registrar who is selected by the County Board of Elections and Registration or by a judge of the Superior Court if there is no local act that has altered the appointment process for the county's registrar. O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-212(a), (d). The Chief Registrar typically leads the registration division of the county elections department. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(d).

Election-Related Duties

The key counting and certification duties of the County Board of Registrars are:

1. Receiving and investigating voter challenges. O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-229, 21-2-230.
2. Making the probable cause determination on challenges. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-230(b).
3. Receiving provisional ballots and accompanying documentation from the election superintendent, and then examining provisional ballots and determining voter eligibility. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-419(b).
4. Determining what provisional ballots require review by the Board of Elections. Interview with a Paulding Cnty. official (Oct. 18, 2022).

Selection and Vacancy Information

• Appointed: Unless changed by local legislation, the Board of Registrars is selected by the senior-most judge of the Superior Court of that county. [1], [2] During this process, the judge will also designate one of the Registrars as the Chief Registrar. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(a).
• Term of Office: A four-year term is the default, but the term length can vary by county. These terms begin on July 1, and end on June 30. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(b). Nevertheless, unless a local act of the General Assembly “specifically provides for the appointment and removal by another authority,” the judge will have the authority to remove one or more of the registrars “at any time for cause after notice and hearing.” O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(a).
• Vacancy:**
  • If the county’s grand jury is not in session: The judge will appoint a successor that will fill the vacancy until the next grand jury convenes. That grand jury will then submit the name of two voters in the county to the judge that are “judicious, intelligent, and upright.” O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(a).
  • If the county’s grand jury is in session: The grand jury will “immediately submit” to the judge the names of the two voters in the county who are “judicious, intelligent, and upright.” O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(a).
  • If a vacancy occurs within 90 days of the end of a Registrar’s term, or a vacancy has not been filled by a judge within 90 days, the governing authority of the county (e.g., County Commissioners or Boards of County Commissioners) will appoint the Registrars instead of the judge. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-212(e).

Footnotes