Hall County Board of Elections to get first look at bylaws revisions

When the Hall County Board of Elections meets next week, members will get a look at an update to the board's bylaws.

 

Dr. Tom Smiley, the board chairman, said he's been changing the language of the document to reflect a few changes that have happened with the county's elections office and the board over the last couple of years. 

 

"When I took over as chairman of the Board of Elections, we had a set of bylaws that were approved and all of the terminology and the names of the particular offices and positions were of such nature that aren't reflected in today's vocabulary," Smiley said.

 

In addition, Smiley said there were some operational changes in the county's elections office that have forced an update to the bylaws.

 

"When they [bylaws] were first established, the former Director of Elections was seen as the Chairman of the Board, and that has since been changed," Smiley said. 

 

Former Elections Director Charlotte Sosebee left Hall County for a similar position in Athens-Clarke County after the November 2016 election, so the bylaws have been out of date since that time.

 

Smiley said his goal is to have a set of bylaws that will allow for what he called the clear, effective and fair work of the Board of Elections.

 

"It is [important] just to let our citizens know that we are doing the very best job that we can do with what is our responsibility," Smiley said. "The bylaws and how we operate as a board - that's our responsibility."

 

Smiley said he will have a first draft of revisions for board members to see on Tuesday afternoon, but it will take a couple of months to get a final document ready.

 

"Tuesday we're going to be reviewing the changes that I have identified and then give the board a month to review them and consider them, and then in March we'll come back and actually begin voting," Smiley said.

 

Tuesday's meeting is at 3:30 p.m. at the Hall County Government Center on Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville.

 

Smiley said citizens are welcome to attend. He pointed out there are designated times for public comment at each monthly meeting of the Hall County Board of Elections.