Ben Hill County commissioners approve resolution to remove party appointments for Board of Elections and Registration

Ben Hill County commissioners voted 4-0 on Feb. 20 during a special-called meeting at the Ben Hill County Courthouse Annex to approve a resolution removing political parties from the county’s Board of Elections and Registration appointment process. Vice-Chair Hope Harmon moved to approve the measure and Commissioner John Mooney seconded; Commissioner Bennie Calloway was absent.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman said the purpose of the resolution is to "introduce legislation to remove political parties from making appointments to the Board of Election and Registration," and added, "The Constitution states to serve on boards, it takes an elected official to make the appointment." Chairman Steve Taylor said the county determined it would be "in the best interests of Ben Hill County and its citizens" to amend the legislation that governs appointment procedures.

The motion to approve the Board of Elections & Registrars Appointment Process Amendment Resolution passed with Vice-Chair Hope Harmon, Commissioner John Mooney, Commissioner Daniel Cowan and Chairman Steve Taylor voting in favor; the record lists Commissioner Bennie Calloway as absent. The meeting adjourned after the vote.

The transcript does not specify a resolution number, a timeline for implementing the change, or whether the amendment requires action by another authority; those details were not provided in the meeting record.