The Commissioner of Elections is appointed by the Governor and serves as the Chief State Election Official of the Commonwealth. The Department of Elections supervises and coordinates the work of county and city electoral boards and registrars to ensure uniformity in registration and election proceedings in accordance with the law. The Department also maintains an automated central record-keeping system of all voters registered in the Commonwealth.

The State Board of Elections is the policy-making branch of election administration in the Commonwealth, and works in concert with the Department of Elections. The Board makes election administration regulations. The Board is composed of three members appointed by the Governor from the qualified voters of the Commonwealth, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Governor designates one member as the Secretary. The members are appointed for a term of four years. By law, a majority of the Board members are from the political party which cast the highest number of votes in the last preceding gubernatorial election.

Electoral Board

The local electoral board of each county or city is comprised of three members; one appointed each year by the Circuit Court for a three-year term.  The members represent each of the two political parties whose candidates, at the general election for the next Governor preceding their appointment, received the highest and the next highest number of votes.  Each local electoral board elects one member to the position Chair and another to the position of Secretary.  These persons must represent different political parties.  The local electoral board is responsible for the proper conduct of all elections held in its county or city.  This board also appoints a general registrar and the officers of election for its county or city. 

General Registrar / Director of Elections

The General Registrar is appointed by each local electoral board for a four-year term during which he/she may not hold any other elective or appointive office, and must be a qualified voter of the county or city for which he/she is appointed. Duties of the general registrar include maintaining a public office for the registration of voters and keeping current and accurate records of all persons registered to vote in the county or city. In the Commonwealth, the General Registrar may also be referred to as the Director of Elections.

Officers of Election

Officers of election for each precinct are appointed by the electoral board for a one-year term and must be qualified voters, and must complete a training and certification process. In appointing the officers of election, as equal representation as possible is given to each of the two political parties. The officers conduct the election at their respective polling places and count the votes.