03 LC 19 5869/AP

House Bill 849 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representative Lane of the 101^st

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To provide that future elections for the office of probate judge of Screven County shall be nonpartisan elections held at the time of certain November general elections; to provide for submission of this Act under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; 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 probate judge of Screven County conducted after the effective date of this Act shall be nonpartisan elections as provided for in Code Section 21-2-139 of the O.C.G.A. and shall be conducted at the November general election immediately preceding the expiration of the term of such respective office. Such nonpartisan elections shall be held 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 probate judge of Screven County in office on the effective date of this Act. The sitting probate judge shall serve out the respective terms of office for which such person was elected and shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself as provided in this Act.

SECTION 3.

The governing authority of Screven County shall through its legal counsel cause this Act to be submitted for preclearance under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended; and such submission shall be made to the United States Department of Justice or filed with the appropriate court no later than 60 days after the date on which this Act is approved by the Governor or otherwise becomes law without such approval.

SECTION 4.

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 5.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.