Bill Text: GA SB531 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia; provide nonpartisan elections for judge

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-03-27 - House Second Readers [SB531 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB531-Engrossed.html

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12 LC 28 6234

Senate Bill 531

By: Senator McKoon of the 29th

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend an Act establishing the Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia, approved August 12, 1915 (Ga. L. 1915, p. 63), as amended, particularly by an Act approved March 29, 1983 (Ga. L. 1983, p. 4443), so as to provide that future elections for the judge of such court shall be nonpartisan elections; to provide for submission of this Act for preclearance under Section 5 of 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.

An Act establishing the Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia, approved August 12, 1915 (Ga. L. 1915, p. 63), as amended, particularly by an Act approved March 29, 1983 (Ga. L. 1983, p. 4443), is amended by revising Section 5 by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(c) All elections for the office of judge of such court conducted after July 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 nonpartisan 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 judge of the Municipal Court of Columbus, Georgia in office on July 1, 2012. The sitting judge shall serve out the term of office for which he or she was elected and shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself as provided in this Act.

SECTION 3.

The governing authority of Columbus, Georgia 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.