25 LC 47 3115
Senate Bill 15
By: Senators Setzler of the 37th, Dixon of the 45th, Albers of the 56th, Still of the 48th and
Kirkpatrick of the 32nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
elections and primaries generally, so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by2
local legislation for nonpartisan elections for county governing authorities; to provide for3
related matters; and for other purposes.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5
SECTION 1.6
Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and7
primaries generally, is amended in Code Section 21-2-139, relating to nonpartisan elections8
authorized and conduct, by revising subsection (a) as follows:9
"(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, the General10
Assembly may provide by local Act for the election in nonpartisan elections of candidates11
to fill county judicial offices, offices of local boards of education, offices of county
12
governing authorities, and offices of consolidated governments which are filled by the vote13
of the electors of said county or political subdivision. Except as otherwise provided in this14
Code section, the procedures to be employed in such nonpartisan elections shall conform15
as nearly as practicable to the procedures governing nonpartisan elections as provided in 16
S. B. 15
- 1 - 25 LC 47 3115
this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, the election procedures
17
established by any existing local law which provides for the nonpartisan election of18
candidates to fill county offices shall conform to the general procedures governing19
nonpartisan elections as provided in this chapter, and such nonpartisan elections shall be20
conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter, notwithstanding the21
provisions of any existing local law. For those offices for which the General Assembly,22
pursuant to this Code section, provided by local Act for election in nonpartisan primaries and23
elections, such offices shall no longer require nonpartisan primaries. Such officers shall be24
elected in nonpartisan elections held and conducted in conjunction with the general primary25
in even-numbered years in accordance with this chapter without a prior nonpartisan primary. 26
This Code section shall apply to all nonpartisan elections for members of consolidated27
governments. All nonpartisan elections for members of consolidated governments shall be28
governed by the provisions of this Code section and shall be considered county elections and29
not municipal elections for the purposes of this Code section. Nonpartisan elections for30
municipal offices shall be conducted on the dates provided in the municipal charter."31
SECTION 2.32
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.33
S. B. 15
- 2 -