Bill Text: GA HB804 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Clarke County; change county commission election districts; provide nonbinding advisory referendum

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-01-30 - Senate Read and Referred [HB804 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB804-Comm_Sub.html

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12 LC 35 2461S

House Bill 804 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representatives Heard of the 114th, McKillip of the 115th, and Williams of the 113th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To provide for a nonbinding, advisory referendum by the electors of Clarke County for the purpose of ascertaining whether the General Assembly should enact local legislation to change county commission election districts from the current eight member districts and two semi-at-large districts to a new election district plan with nine equally sized districts that match the districts of the Clarke County Board of Education; to provide for procedures and requirements relating thereto; to provide for a referendum and effective dates; 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 a nonbinding, advisory referendum for the purpose of ascertaining whether the citizens of the Clarke County desire the General Assembly to enact local legislation to change county commission election districts from the current eight member districts and two semi-at-large districts to a new election district plan with nine equally sized districts that match the districts of the Clarke County Board of Education. The advisory referendum provided for in this Act is:

(1) In all respects for the benefit of the people of Clarke County;

(2) A public purpose; and

(3) An essential governmental function for which public funds may be expended.

SECTION 2.

Unless prohibited by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, the county election superintendent of Clarke County shall call and conduct a nonbinding, advisory referendum election as provided in this section for the purpose of submitting a question to the electors of Clarke County to determine whether a majority of said electors desire the General Assembly to enact local legislation to change county commission election districts from the current eight member districts and two semi-at-large districts to a new election district plan with nine equally sized districts that match the districts of the Clarke County Board of Education. The county election superintendent shall conduct that election on the day of the presidential preference election in March, 2012, and shall issue the call and conduct that election as provided by general law. The county election 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 Clarke County. The ballot shall have written or printed thereon the words:

(  )  YES (  )  NO

"NONBINDING ADVISORY REFERENDUM Should the election of county commissioners be changed from the current system, which includes two semi-at-large 'super districts,' to a new election district plan with nine equally sized districts that match the districts of the Clarke County Board of Education?"

All persons desiring to vote for approval of the question shall vote "Yes," and all persons desiring to vote for rejection of the question shall vote "No." The expense of such election shall be borne by Clarke County. It shall be the election superintendent's duty to certify the result thereof to the Secretary of State and to each member of the General Assembly whose senatorial or representative district lies wholly or partially within Clarke County.

SECTION 3.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this Act, 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.