Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners have asked Probate Judge Scott Chastain to look at reorganizing his office instead of creating a board of elections.
Chairman Charlie Paris said Chastain, who is also the election superintendent for Gilmer County, agreed to look at his office and what additional personnel he may need.
“I basically indicated to him that until we look at that alternative we’re probably not going to move further on the election board,” Paris said.
He said it would not appear on further agendas unless needed.
“I think that is fantastic because that group has done a great job with our elections,” said Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson.
Paris said he started looking at election boards in other counties.
“When I got to looking around some at election boards, what I found is that yeah, almost all counties have them, but a lot of counties are having a lot of problems with them,” he said.
Chastain asked commissioners to look into creating an election board because as the probate judge, his duties have grown as the county has grown, and the elections have become very contentious and burdensome.
“We’ll see what Scott comes up with and what can he do within the confines of his office with additional personnel that will solve the problem short of an election board,” Paris said.
When the discussion first started, Paris said he didn’t think the two parties could have a civil discussion, but if it could happen anywhere, it was in Gilmer County.
An election board would require representatives from both the Republican and Democratic parties to work together.
“My belief has been seriously shaken by simply going to the Democrat Party Facebook page and reading the comments,” he said.
Paris said Chastain has been very cooperative during the process.