Columbia County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Ken Dow has notified the county Democratic Committee that he will not seek re-appointment when his current term ends at the end of this year. The county committee will need to select his replacement and provide a letter of introduction for that person to the Board of Supervisors by December 1. The role of commissioner is a two-year appointment that will begin in January 2023. The position pays $67,636 annually, with an increase anticipated in 2023. Dow was chosen to serve as election commissioner in January 2020, replacing Virginia Martin, after the Board of Supervisors declined to reappoint her. Democrats picked Dow over then-Hudson business owner Mark Young, election specialist Erin Stamper and Clermont Democratic Committee secretary Penny Panoulias. Dow served previously as the county Democratic Election Commissioner from 2005 to 2008.