Putnam County; board of commissioners; current board members to continue their terms of office; provide

Putnam County updates commissioner vacancy rules

Putnam County commissioners serving when this section takes effect keep their terms and remain until successors are elected and qualified. A district-elected commissioner’s seat becomes vacant if the commissioner stops living in that district. For vacancies other than expired terms, the remaining commissioners appoint a replacement; if they cannot, the county Superior Court’s chief judge does. Either way, the replacement must live in the district and be nominated by and belong to the former commissioner’s local political party. With less than 12 months left, the appointee serves the remaining term. With 12 months or more left, the appointee serves until a successor is elected and qualified through a special election under Georgia election law. The law also repeals conflicting laws.