The Forsyth County commission gave initial approval for a new elections position Tuesday.

The decision comes at the request of the board of elections to relieve its chairman, Gary J. Smith, of his current day-to-day duties as chief registrar and assign them to the new elections post.

County Attorney Ken Jarrard said Smith plans to finish his term as board chairman, which expires in April 2010, and serve as "a mentor and trainer" to the new official, whose title would be supervisor of registrations and elections.

Smith currently serves as both chief registrar and chairman of the board of elections, an arrangement that would end with the creation of the new position.

Commissioners voted 5-0 on Tuesday to create the post of supervisor of registrations and elections. A second, and final, vote is scheduled for April 2.

The county will then send the job description to a third party to set a salary for the position.

Commissioners would select the supervisor, though the chief Superior Court  judge would appoint the new chairman of the elections board.

The supervisor of registrations and elections is proposed as a civil service position, which would function as the head of the elections office, according to County Attorney Ken Jarrard.

Smith made an announcement that he planned to hand over the reins at an elections board meeting March 16.

In addition to Smith, the elections board also includes Brant Meadows and Janice Thomas.