Secretary of State Brian Kemp made several stops throughout Dawsonville last week in an effort to meet constituents and leaders from each of the state’s 159 counties this year.

“I’ve tried to be a secretary of state that’s not just stuck behind my desk in my office at the capitol,” Kemp said. “I can learn a lot more if I’m going around the state, trying to see what happens where the rubber meets the road.”

A Republican from Athens and former State Senator, Kemp began his visit at the Dawson County Board of Elections and Registration, an office which he praised for its practices, as well as the the new facility on Academy Avenue.

“That’s a great facility they are in, so that was good to see,” he said. “I think they are doing a great job. I always like to try to take a little tour of the facility and they have their machines and equipment locked up like they are supposed to.”

Glenda Ferguson, supervisor of the elections and voter registration, said the meeting was positive.

“We talked about some of the upcoming legislation and what our future looks like,” she said.

Ferguson said her meeting with Kemp on Thursday is the only time a Secretary of State has personally visited the office since she has been involved with county elections.

“I really enjoyed meeting him,” she said

During his stops, Kemp promoted a new initiative that will create an elections advisory council made up of elected officials, citizens and “anyone who has ideas on elections.”

“My charge to the group is to go through the elections code and state election board rules and look for ways to streamline the process, continue to make them more secure and see how we can reduce cost at the state and the local level,” Kemp said. 

Kemp, whose office also oversees business and professional licensing, also spoke to members of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and later to the Dawson County Republican Party.

Kemp has served as Secretary of State since January 2010 when Karen Handel stepped down to run for governor.