Section 12.  There shall be a Department of Elections and Registration.  The commissioner of elections shall head the department and shall administer the laws relating to custody of voting machines and voter registration.  He shall have other powers and perform other duties authorized by this constitution or provided by law.  

NOTE:  Acts 2001, No. 451, provided, effective January 12, 2004, for the appointment in lieu of election of the commissioner of elections and for the merger and consolidation of the Department of Elections and Registration with the Department of State pursuant to Art. IV, §20 of the constitution.