The Kern County Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance Tuesday establishing a standalone Department of Elections. The big picture: The ordinance would give the new department responsibility for administering federal, state and local elections throughout Kern County. The backstory: Kern County combined its auditor-controller, county clerk and registrar of voters positions in 1995, placing responsibility for elections under one elected official. Supervisors voted in January 2025 to pursue a standalone registrar as the county’s population grew and elections became increasingly complex. By the numbers: According to the county’s recruitment materials, the new Elections Department will have 21 employees and an annual budget of approximately $7.1 million.