HB 593: Baker County; probate judge; provide nonpartisan elections

Currently the probate judge of Baker County is elected in a partisan election, meaning candidates run under party labels like Republican or Democrat. This bill changes that going forward: all elections for Baker County probate judge held after the law takes effect would be nonpartisan, following the rules already set out in Georgia's election law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-139) for nonpartisan races. The bill does not disturb the current probate judge's term. Whoever holds the office when the law takes effect finishes out that term under the old rules and can run again under the new nonpartisan system. The change applies only to Baker County and only to the probate judge position; it repeals any conflicting laws.

• Converts future elections for the Baker County probate judge from partisan to nonpartisan, meaning candidates will no longer run under party labels.
• Requires these nonpartisan elections to follow the procedures already set out in Georgia's election law (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-139) and the Georgia Election Code.
• Schedules the nonpartisan elections to occur at the general nonpartisan election held right before the current term expires.
• Protects the sitting probate judge's current term from being cut short and allows that judge to run again under the new nonpartisan rules.
• Repeals any existing state or local laws that conflict with this change.

This bill affects voters in Baker County, candidates for the office of probate judge there, and the current sitting probate judge, whose term is preserved. It does not affect probate judge elections in any other Georgia county.

Once in effect, Baker County residents would vote for probate judge without seeing party affiliation on the ballot, which could change how candidates campaign and how voters choose between them. The current judge keeps his or her term unaffected by the switch.

• Section 1 declares that all Baker County probate judge elections held after the law takes effect will be nonpartisan, run under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-139 and the Georgia Election Code.
• Section 1 specifies these elections happen at the general nonpartisan election immediately before the current term expires.
• Section 2 preserves the current probate judge's term and allows that judge to seek reelection under the new nonpartisan format.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-13Effective Date 2025-05-13
2. 2025-05-13Act 204
3. 2025-05-13House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2025-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2025-03-20Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2025-03-10Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2025-03-06House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)Patrocinador principal

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes6 de marzo de 2025

   150 a favor, 20 en contra (2 sin votar, 8 ausentes)

   Passage: House Vote #229

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado20 de marzo de 2025

   51 a favor, 0 en contra (4 sin votar, 1 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #250

• local elections
• Baker County
• probate judge
• nonpartisan elections
• Georgia election law