MOULTRIE — The newly formed Colquitt County Board of Elections held its inaugural meeting on Jan. 7.

A Georgia law that took effect in May of last year states any county that did not have a board of elections and registration, must create one no later than December 15, 2024. Colquitt County is one of 13 counties that did not have a board of elections.

In September, the Colquitt County Commission adopted an ordinance to create a board of elections and registration for the county. Then, in November, the commissioners appointed three people to the board: Aileen Gay, Ronald Jordan and Tonita Scott, with Florene Sellers as an alternate.

Also in attendance at the board’s first meeting were Probate Judge Wes Lewis, who was in charge of election proceedings; Chief Registrar Paula McCullough, who is retiring soon; Faith Thomas, Patty Simmons and County IT Director Darren Roberson.

The first order of business was electing officers.

“I don’t mind taking the chair if you want me to,” said Jordan.

The board decided that Ronald Jordan was chairman, Tonita Scott was the vice-chair and Eileen Gay was the secretary.

“The main business you have is to form a supervisor position,” said Lewis and added that the county commission and County Administrator Chas Cannon recommended Faith Thomas.

“She has my recommendation,” said Lewis. “It would allow someone to carry on the duties of the office.”

Thomas told them that she had worked in elections in Mitchell County for several years as a poll manager.

Jordan said, “Well, I’ll nominate Faith Thomas to be the supervisor of elections.”

It was a unanimous vote and they decided that Thomas would be the one to record the minutes of the meetings.

Then, Lewis told them that the commission and Cannon had also recommended that they keep the current staff in the registrar’s office to handle the day-to-day business of the board of election and to assist during elections. He also said, if they approved, Simmons, who had assisted McCullough, would stay on and assist Thomas.

“Mr. Cannon has asked me to be an advisor or consultant, especially during the transaction,” said Lewis and added that it would help to keep the ball rolling.

Jordan made a motion to keep the current staff and to keep Lewis as the advisor through the transition. It passed unanimously.

There was discussion on how paying invoices would be handled. There was a question on whether the board needed to approve them before Thomas paid them.

“For things that are absolutely required to run the election, we give her the ability to approve. But optional things like warranties, then we can vote on,” said Jordan and the board agreed.

The board of elections will meet at 4 p.m., on the first Tuesday of each month, at the Courthouse Annex.