Bill > SB573

This bill amends Georgia law to establish nonpartisan elections for certain county officers and district attorneys in specific counties, meaning candidates will not run under a political party affiliation. Specifically, it designates counties where the governing authority appoints a medical examiner instead of electing a coroner as "medical examiner counties," and mandates that most elected county officials in these areas, as well as district attorneys for judicial circuits composed solely of such counties, will be elected in nonpartisan elections. This change will apply to elections held alongside the general primary in even-numbered years, without a preceding nonpartisan primary, and will override any existing local laws that currently allow for partisan elections for these county offices, with exceptions for county sheriffs, local school board members, and county governing authorities established by local constitutional amendment. The bill also clarifies the qualifying period for candidates seeking these nonpartisan county offices and sets an effective date of January 1, 2027.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73571