11 LC 34 3906

House Bill 652

By: Representatives Murphy of the 120th, Howard of the 121st, Frazier of the 123rd, and Smith of the 122nd

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To provide for an advisory referendum election to be held in Augusta-Richmond County for the purpose of ascertaining whether the voters of such county desire the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to be elected in partisan elections; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

It is the purpose of this Act to provide for an advisory referendum within Augusta-Richmond County to determine if the voters of such county desire the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County to be elected in partisan elections.

SECTION 2.

(a) Unless prohibited by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, the election superintendent of Augusta-Richmond County shall call and conduct an advisory election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting a question to the electors of said county to advise the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County whether the voters of Augusta-Richmond County desire the governing authority to be elected in partisan elections. The superintendent shall conduct that election on the date of the 2012 general election held in November and shall issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The superintendent shall cause the date and purpose of the election to be published once a week for two weeks immediately preceding the date thereof in the official organ of Augusta-Richmond County. The ballot shall have printed thereon the following:

"(  )  YES (  )  NO

Shall the governing authority of Augusta-Richmond County be elected in partisan elections?"

(b) It shall be the duty of the election superintendent of Augusta-Richmond County to hold and conduct the advisory election provided for in this section and to tabulate the results of such election. It shall be the further duty of said superintendent to certify the results of said election to the Secretary of State and to each member of the General Assembly whose senatorial or representative district lies wholly or partially within Augusta-Richmond County. The expense of such election shall be borne by Augusta-Richmond County.
(c) It is found, determined, and declared that the holding of the advisory referendum election provided for in this section is in all respects for the benefit of the people of Augusta-Richmond County and is for a public purpose and is an essential governmental function for which public funds may be expended.

SECTION 3.

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.