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2018 SESSION

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SB 825 Elections, State Board of; increases membership, Commissioner of Elections to be member of Board.

Introduced by: John S. Edwards | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

State Board of Elections; membership; Commissioner of Elections. Increases the membership of the State Board of Elections (Board) from three members to five members, with representation given to each of the political parties having the highest and next highest number of votes in the Commonwealth at the last preceding gubernatorial election. Three Board members are to be of the party of the Governor. Terms of Board members are initially staggered. The Governor shall designate one member of the Board as the Commissioner of Elections, to head the Department of Elections and to act as the principal administrative officer. The Commissioner shall also serve as the chair of the Board. The bill requires the Board to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

State Board of Elections; membership; appointment of Commissioner of Elections. Increases the membership of the State Board of Elections (Board) from three members to five members and increases the terms of Board members from four years to five years. Representation shall be given to each of the political parties having the highest and next highest number of votes in the Commonwealth at the last preceding gubernatorial election, with three Board members being of the party of the Governor. Terms are initially staggered. The bill also grants to the Board the authority to appoint and remove the Commissioner of Elections, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, to head the Department of Elections and to act as the principal administrative officer. The appointment or removal of the Commissioner shall require an affirmative vote of four of the five Board members. The bill requires the Board to submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019.