HB1469.html

Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, is amended by striking paragraph (2) of subsection (c) and subparagraph (i)(1)(B) of Code Section 21-2-132, relating to filing notices of candidacy, nomination petitions, and affidavits, and inserting in lieu thereof a new paragraph (2) and subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
"(2) Each candidate for a county ~~judicial~~ office, a local school board office, or an office of a consolidated government, except those offices which on July 1, 2001, were covered by local Acts of the General Assembly which provided for election in a nonpartisan election without a prior nonpartisan primary, or the candidate´s agent, desiring to have his or her name placed on the nonpartisan election ballot shall file notice of candidacy in the office of the superintendent no earlier than 9:00 A.M. on the fourth Monday in April immediately prior to the election and no later than 12:00 Noon on the Friday following the fourth Monday in April, notwithstanding the fact that any such days may be legal holidays."
"(B) Each candidate for a county ~~judicial~~ office, a local school board office, or an office of a consolidated government, except those offices which on July 1, 2001, were covered by local Acts of the General Assembly which provided for election in a nonpartisan election without a prior nonpartisan primary, or the candidate´s agent, desiring to have his or her name placed on the nonpartisan election ballot shall file notice of candidacy in the office of the superintendent no earlier than 9:00 A.M. on the third Wednesday in June immediately prior to the election and no later than 12:00 Noon on the Friday following the third Wednesday in June, notwithstanding the fact that any such days may be legal holidays;".

Said chapter is further amended by striking subsection (a) of Code Section 21-2-139, relating to the authorization of nonpartisan elections, and inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, the General Assembly may provide by local Act for the election in nonpartisan elections of candidates to fill county judicial offices, the offices of sheriffs, the offices of tax commissioners, the offices of clerks of superior court, offices of local school boards, and offices of consolidated governments which are filled by the vote of the electors of said county or political subdivision. Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, the procedures to be employed in such nonpartisan elections shall conform as nearly as practicable to the procedures governing nonpartisan elections as provided in this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, the election procedures established by any existing local law which provides for the nonpartisan election of candidates to fill county offices shall conform to the general procedures governing nonpartisan elections as provided in this chapter, and such nonpartisan elections shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter, notwithstanding the provisions of any existing local law. For those offices for which the General Assembly as of July 1, 2001, pursuant to this Code section, provided by local Act for election in nonpartisan primaries and elections, such offices shall no longer require nonpartisan primaries. Such officers shall be elected in nonpartisan elections held and conducted in conjunction with the general primary in accordance with this chapter without a prior nonpartisan primary. For those offices for which the General Assembly as of July 1, 2001, provided by local Act for election in a nonpartisan election without a prior nonpartisan primary, such offices shall be elected in nonpartisan elections held and conducted in conjunction with the November general election without a prior nonpartisan primary. Nonpartisan elections for municipal offices shall be conducted on the dates provided in the municipal charter."