HB 1590: Telfair County; county officers; ineligible to hold office under certain conditions; repeal amendment

Telfair County currently operates under a special 1963 amendment to the Georgia Constitution that sets term limits for certain county officers by making them ineligible to keep serving under certain conditions. This bill would repeal that amendment, but only if Telfair County voters approve the change in a referendum. The bill requires the county's election superintendent to place the question on the ballot during the 2026 general election, with public notice printed for two weeks beforehand. If a majority vote yes, the repeal takes effect immediately. If voters reject it or the election is not held as required, the bill automatically repeals itself 365 days after the election date. The bill specifies its intent is to remove term limits for the sheriff, clerk of superior court, probate judge, tax commissioner, magistrate judge, and coroner, but not for county commissioners, who remain subject to separate term limit rules.

• Repeals the 1963 constitutional amendment that made certain Telfair County officers ineligible to hold office under certain conditions, contingent on voter approval.
• Requires the Telfair County election superintendent to hold a referendum on the repeal during the 2026 general election.
• Sets an automatic repeal of the entire Act 365 days after the election if voters reject it or the election is not properly conducted.
• Allows any Telfair County voter to seek a court order (writ of mandamus) forcing the election superintendent to conduct the required election.
• Clarifies that removing term limits applies to the sheriff, clerk of superior court, probate judge, tax commissioner, magistrate judge, and coroner, but not county commissioners.

Telfair County voters, who must approve the change in a referendum; the sheriff, clerk of superior court, probate judge, tax commissioner, magistrate judge, and coroner, whose term limits would be removed; and the county election superintendent, who must administer the vote.

If approved, the named Telfair County officeholders would no longer face the eligibility restrictions tied to term limits, potentially allowing them to run for additional terms. The outcome depends entirely on how Telfair County voters decide in the 2026 general election.

• Section 1 repeals the constitutional amendment from 1963 House Resolution 102-230 that limited eligibility for Telfair County officers.
• Section 2 requires a referendum during the 2026 general election, with specific ballot language, public notice requirements, and certification to the Secretary of State.
• Section 2 provides that if voters reject the measure or the election is not properly held, the entire Act is automatically repealed 365 days after the election.
• Section 2 allows a court to compel the election superintendent to conduct the election via mandamus if the superintendent fails to comply.
• Section 3 states the repeal applies to term limits for the sheriff, clerk of superior court, probate judge, tax commissioner, magistrate judge, and coroner, but not to county commissioners, who remain under separate 2003 term limit rules.

1. 2026-03-25House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-23House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-20House Hopper (House)

• Danny Mathis (R, HD-133)Primary sponsor

• Telfair County government
• term limits
• local elections
• county officers
• referendum