It’s a job that pays almost $6,000 a year plus benefits. But the position also carries power, prestige and a key role in county politics.

The Lawrence County Republican Party Central Committee will meet tonight to choose someone for one of its two seats on the board of elections. Veteran GOP member Bob Griffith has opted not to seek another four-year term.

Lawrence County Republican Party Chairman Ray T. Dutey said two people are actively vying for the board seat at this time: Harriett Scragg and Freddie Hayes. Dutey said while Scragg and Hayes are two declared candidates, it doesn’t mean the field of candidates is narrowed to only these two people.

“We could have someone from the crowd nominated,” Dutey said. “We could have a nomination from the floor.”

The successful candidate must be a member of the Lawrence County GOP.

Once nominations are made, the central committee will vote by secret ballot. There are usually 84 committee members, one from each of the county’s 84 precincts.

However, Dutey said some precincts are without a committee member right now due to death or illness.

The new board member will begin his or her four-year term March 1.

Lawrence County Democrats re elected Karen Matney Simmons to the board earlier this month. The other two board seats occupied by Democrat Craig Allen and Republican Carl Lilly, will be up for election in two years.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. in Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Charles Cooper’s courtroom.