BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The Kern election division may soon be on the hunt for its next registrar of voters.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s next election leader.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The motion to sperate was approved by Governor Newsom in October 2025 opening the door for the county to find the department\u2019s new head. The county administrative office drafted a description of the responsibilities, requirements and pay for the next Registrar of Voters.<\/p>\n
The next head of the department would manage voter registration, Voter files, conduct of elections, and counting of votes in Kern.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least four years\u2019 experience in administrative or managerial functions including interpreting and implementing laws, codes and regulations.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 the rules for running elections across California.<\/p>\n
What about the pay?<\/p>\n
According to the proposal, the county is setting a salary range of close to $80,000.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear how the application process would be run if the board approves the measure.<\/p>\n
According to county officials, they are still working out the details amid the supervisors vote next week.<\/p>\n
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