Elections & Voter Registration Director
First review of applications begins on October 8, 2025.
REPORTS TO: Athens-Clarke County Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt – Executive
CLASSIFICATION: Regular Non-Merit; Serves at the discretion of the Manager.
PAY GRADE: 130
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No
Purpose of Job
The purpose of this position is to serve as the Chief Registration Officer and Election Supervisor for Athens-Clarke County, ensuring the lawful, secure, and transparent administration of all voter registration and election activities. The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of election planning, voter registration, ballot preparation, election equipment, polling locations, and results certification in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. This role manages staff and budget, oversees process improvements and emergency preparedness, and maintains accurate and accessible election records. The Director serves as a key advisor and partner to the Board of Elections, collaborates with state and local stakeholders, and acts as a visible spokesperson to strengthen voter education, engagement, and public confidence in the electoral process.
Job Related Requirements
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 – 5:00 with regular evenings and weekend work to support active elections.
May be required to work after hours, weekends, and on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC’s safe driving policy.
Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Public Administration or related field with five years of election process or related experience required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
Five years of supervisory experience is required.
Must be registered as a Notary Public, within six months of hire.
Georgia Election Official Certification is required.
Must be able to obtain 12 hours annual continuing education as required by state law.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Planning and Voter Registration
Maintains high level knowledge of federal, state, and local laws as they relate to the conduction of elections and voter registration; implements procedural changes when required.
Attends state required training sessions concerning voter registration and election laws, and election equipment.
Supervises the petition process to include Nomination and Recall petitions.
Receives notices of candidacy and qualifying fees.
Maintains current election map for districts; assigns all voters to their respective districts; makes final decision as to voters districts; and, oversees reapportionment and redistricting assignments.
Works with stakeholders including the Board of Elections, Secretary of State’s Office, and public safety partners to develop and regularly update an emergency operations plans specific to elections activities.
Maintains and provides voter registration lists for the City of Winterville and the City of Bogart; conducts and certifies the City of Winterville’s elections.
Prepares and/or directs the preparation of reports including reports to the media, elected officials, committees, Secretary of State Elections Division, and Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections members.
Reviews all directives, advisories, memoranda, correspondence, and materials issued by the
Secretary of State and take action as required by those communications.
Serves as Filing Officer for candidates, as required by the Ethics in Government Act, including receiving and inspecting campaign financing disclosure reports; maintains and audits reports for public inspection; notifies candidates of filing dates and technical violations; notifies State Ethics Commission of candidates qualifying for election; notifies commission of those who fail to file reports and collect fines for late reporting.
Reviews existing processes for improvement, maintaining compliance with law changes, evaluates and redesigns forms and materials used at the polls and office as needed.
Oversees Safe, Secure, and Transparent Elections
Calculates and determines the qualifying fees for candidates for county offices; receives and inspects notices of candidacy, determines qualification of candidates; accepts affidavits, and qualifying fees from candidates.
Recruits, trains, and supervises poll workers, trainers, and equipment delivery teams.
Receives and proofs database from the Georgia Center for Elections prior to each election, downloads memory cards for voting machines, assigns memory cards to units and precincts, labels and package for Logic and Accuracy Testing.
Prepares ballots, sample ballots, and absentee ballots; coordinates and supervises the tabulation of ballots and the preparation of certified election results.
Selects and equips accessible election day polling places with election equipment, notices, and workers to ensure election laws are being maintained.
Coordinates early voting activities prior to each election cycle, and determines locations/number of additional sites, staffing, training, security, and publicity.
Secures, notifies, and instructs Vote Review Panels prior to each election.
Coordinates and supervises the tabulation of ballots, preparation of certified election results, announcement of election results on election night, and the consolidation and certification of results to the Secretary of State.
Coordinates, advertises, prepares, and conducts the Logic and Accuracy testing of all election equipment before each election. Answers questions raised by the Grand Jury when attending the testing process.
Supports Voter Engagement, Outreach and Education
Serves as a visible spokesperson for election integrity and voter confidence.
Leads proactive community engagement initiatives, including voter education campaigns and school/civic outreach.
Prepares and publishes election notices as required by law, including submitting pre-clearance matters to the United States Justice Department and legal notices for publication.
Maintains accurate voter registration records, and provides data as requested.
Maintains the departmental web page.
Ensures timely, comprehensive, and accurate responses to open records requests.
Collaborates with the Board of Elections
Attends all board meetings and hearings held by the Board of Elections including complaints about the election process or voter registration; testifies in court regarding lawsuits filed against the Board of Elections; and, presents an update of office activity at each quarterly Board meeting.
Serves as the staff liaison between the board and ACCGov entities such as the Clerk of Commission, Attorney’s Office, and Communications Department to ensure vacancies are filled in a timely manner and the board complies with the Open Meetings and Open Records components of state and federal laws.
Collaborates with the Board Chair to develop meeting agendas and supporting materials.
Supports the board in the process of on-boarding new board members.
Presents options and recommendations for items requiring board approval.
Supports the planning and implementation of an annual board retreat.
Administrative Oversight
Maintains custody of records of all elections, registration information, campaign contribution reports and financial statements.
Supervises/evaluates assigned staff, handles all employee concerns, directs work assignments, counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, completes employee performance appraisals, develops, interprets, trains staff in and enforces operations, policies, and procedures.
Develops an annual budget for office and all elections; executes the approved budget; submits supplemental budget requests, as necessary.
Reviews employee time sheets, payroll, and incident reports to ensure accuracy, and provide follow-up action as needed.
Establishes and implements department goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
Develops long-term plans for election technology upgrades, redistricting, and resource needs.
Trains and deputizes deputy registrars; coordinates the actions of county departments that support primaries and elections.
Develops course material, plans, coordinates and conducts training sessions for poll workers.
Creates and presents all agenda items for Mayor and Commission approval (Setting of qualifying fees, precinct changes, etc.).
Performs other related duties as required.
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