Bill Text: GA HB552 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Jackson County; chief magistrate judge nonpartisan elections; provide

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-12 - Effective Date [HB552 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB552-Comm_Sub.html

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11 LC 35 2447S

House Bill 552 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representatives Benton of the 31st and McCall of the 30th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To provide that future elections for the office of chief magistrate judge of the magistrate court of Jackson County and the probate judge of the probate court of Jackson County shall be nonpartisan elections; to provide for submission of this Act for preclearance under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

All elections for the office of chief magistrate judge of the magistrate court of Jackson County and for probate judge of the probate court of Jackson County conducted after January 1, 2012, shall be nonpartisan elections as provided for in Code Section 21-2-139 of the O.C.G.A. Such nonpartisan elections shall be held in conjunction with the November general election immediately preceding expiration of the term of office and conducted as provided in Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the O.C.G.A., the "Georgia Election Code."

SECTION 2.

Nothing in this Act shall affect the term of office of the chief magistrate judge of the magistrate court of Jackson County or the probate judge of the probate court of Jackson County in office on January 1, 2012. The sitting chief magistrate judge and probate judge shall serve out the terms of office for which they were elected and shall be eligible to succeed themselves as provided in this Act.

SECTION 3.

The governing authority of Jackson County shall through its legal counsel cause this Act to be submitted for preclearance under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, no later than 45 days after the date on which this Act is approved by the Governor or otherwise becomes law without such approval.

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.