The next time Bibb County voters go to the polls, it’s likely a new elections supervisor will be counting the votes.

Elaine Carr, the elections superintendent for the past 12 years, plans to retire at the end of the year. She tendered her request Friday to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections, which voted to approve Carr’s retirement and then to name her replacement, Jeanetta Watson, the county’s current elections secretary.

“She has the experience. She has the knowledge,” board of elections member Ronnie Miley said of Watkins. “She’s worked for years by the side of Elaine, and she knows Bibb County.”

Carr has worked with the board of elections for 26 years.

“She’s been a good elections superintendent,” Miley said. “She’s been responsive. She always tried to make sure the process was open for voters whether it was getting information to the voters or training for new voting machines.”

The Bibb County Commission still must approve Watson’s appointment, which Miley expects to go smoothly.

“There’s no one more qualified,” he said.

Carr confirmed her plans to retire but said she was too busy dealing with Tuesday’s election results to talk about it.

“I’m still busy trying to shut this election down. Until the commissioners approve it, nothing is in stone, but I don’t have time right now to talk to you about it. I don’t mean to be rude, because this is an exciting time for me. Right now I just have other stuff I need to do.”

Carr also served as chief registrar prior to taking on the elections superintendent job.