BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern election division may soon be on the hunt for its next registrar of voters.

The Board of Supervisors is set to consider the job description and salary of the new election head. The supervisors voted to separate the registrar of voter from the auditor-controller office in October 2025 but the new requirements and job description are teeing up the potential search for Kern County’s next election leader.

In 1995, Kern County gave the duties of Registrar of Voters to the County Auditor-Controller-Clerk due to budgeting issues. But now thanks to a rapidly growing county and the importance of fair and free elections, the board of Supervisors voted to separate the offices.

The motion to sperate was approved by Governor Newsom in October 2025 opening the door for the county to find the department’s new head. The county administrative office drafted a description of the responsibilities, requirements and pay for the next Registrar of Voters.

The next head of the department would manage voter registration, Voter files, conduct of elections, and counting of votes in Kern.

Not just any Kern County resident can apply for the job. The administrative office also set a number of qualifications for the position. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least four years’ experience in administrative or managerial functions including interpreting and implementing laws, codes and regulations.

At least two of those years require experience in a supervisory capacity. The administrative office is also requesting that applicants be familiar with the California Election Code — the rules for running elections across California.

What about the pay?

According to the proposal, the county is setting a salary range of close to $80,000.

The administrative office also consulted the pay of other elections departments in the San Joaquin Valley coming up with a max salary for the position at $191,000.

It’s unclear how the application process would be run if the board approves the measure.

According to county officials, they are still working out the details amid the supervisors vote next week.

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