State Rep. Oliver seeks to abolish State Elections Board [UPDATED]

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D - Decatur) has pre-filed legislation that would strip Georgia's Secretary of State and State Elections Board of many of their duties, and put it in the hands of an "Office of State Election Administration."

The bill, HB917, creates a "chief election officer" to perform many election related activities such as providing Georgians with a summary of any proposed amendment to the state Constitution and challenging the qualifications of any candidate for public office. These duties are currently held by the Secretary of State.

The bill also abolishes the State Elections Board in 2009 and transfers the responsibilities formerly held by the body over to the chief election officer and the newly-established "Office of State Election Administration".

[UPDATE]: In an e-mail response, state Rep. Oliver stated her legislation is based on the recommendations of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform.

"Our difficult history of election management, including the current controversies about Voter IDs and paper ballots, discourages voter participation and increases cynicism and litigation. We need less partisan election management, and President Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker have proposed necessary reforms. I trust their ethical work and productive ideas," Rep. Oliver said.

In crafting the legislation, Oliver said she's been working with Dr. Robert A. Pastor, the Executive Director of the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform.