Judge Rubie Nell Sanders issues the Oaths of Office to the new Montgomery Board of Elections and Registration members.

When the calendar changes to new year, Montgomery County will have something it hasn’t had before: an official Board of Elections  and Registration.

On Monday of this week, Montgomery County Probate Judge Rubie Nell Sanders issued the Oaths of Office to five Montgomery County residents who will serve on the Board. Bennie Hugh Sammons, Nakia Brazell and William H. Morris will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2023 and ending January 1, 2027. Erica Russell and Barbra Clark will each serve two-year terms ending on January 1, 2025. The members represent a cross section of the county including the cities of Mt. Vernon, Uvalda, and Ailey.

The Board of Commissioners of Montgomery County voted to form the Board of Elections and Registration in 2021, but the formation of the Board required state legislation. That journey began in late January of this year when Leesa Hagan, Representative of House District 156, introduced HB. 1015. The first reading of the bill in the House of Representatives wasn’t unanimous but passed. Just over a week later, the Senate approved the action without any nays, and it was signed by Governor Brian Kemp on April 18.