ATLANTA – State Representatives Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), Mitchell Scoggins (R-Cartersville) and State Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome), members of the Floyd County Legislative Delegation, today announced that Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bills 8EX and 9EX into law on Friday, November 19, 2021. This legislation seeks to modernize and improve the county’s election board by adding additional board members and a new elections supervisor position. The Floyd County Legislative Delegation issued the following statement regarding the legislation:
“Over the last year, Floyd County residents have made it clear that they want to feel confident that our elections are being run with integrity and efficiency, and revamping our elections board reflects these desires. This legislation will usher in a more robust elections board ahead of the next election cycle. We also recognized the need for increased staff support for the board, so we are grateful that the county will now have a full-time elections supervisor position, who will specialize in carrying out secure and efficient elections.”
The legislative package was sponsored by all members of the Floyd County Legislative Delegation. The Georgia House overwhelmingly passed the two bills on Monday, Nov. 15, and the state Senate gave final passage to the bills on Wednesday, Nov. 17.
House Bill 8EX reconstitutes and reestablishes the Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration on December 1, 2021. The board will be composed of five members who will be appointed by the Floyd County Board of Commissioners. Four members will be appointed from nominations made by the county executive committee of the two political parties whose candidates for governor at the preceding election received the first and second largest number of votes in the county. The board of commissioners will appoint a fifth member to serve as the chairperson of the elections board. The board members will serve four year terms, and the first members will begin their work as soon as the board is established.
This legislation also provides greater staff support to the elections board. Under HB 8EX, the Floyd County Board of Commissioners will appoint an election supervisor. The election supervisor will serve as staff support for the board, attend meetings of the board, assist the board in fulfilling its duties of voter registration and the conduct of elections and provide daily supervision of other county employees who assist the board. The election supervisor will be considered a full-time county employee and cannot be a member of the elections board.
In order to revamp the board of elections, House Bill 9EX dissolves the current structure of Floyd County Board of Elections and Registration.
For more information about HB 8EX, please click here.
For more information about HB 9EX, please click here.
Representative Katie Dempsey represents the citizens of District 13, which includes portions of Floyd County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources. She also serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Higher Education, Rules and Transportation committees.
Representative Eddie Lumsden represents the citizens of District 12, which includes Chattooga County and portions of Floyd County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves as Chairman of the Insurance Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Governmental Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Rules and State Properties committees.
Representative Mitchell Scoggins represents the citizens of District 14, which includes portions of Bartow and Floyd counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves as Secretary of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Code Revision, Special Rules and Transportation committees.
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He represents the 52nd Senate District which includes Floyd County and portions of Bartow, Chattooga and Gordon counties. He can be reached at 404. 656.0034 or via email at chuck.hufstetler@senate.ga.gov.
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