The Polk County Board of Elections has appointed Tracy Waters as its new director.

Waters will replace current director Dale Edwards following her retirement on Feb. 28.

Waters is currently the administrative assistant for the Polk County Transportation Authority and has worked in that position since 2002. Previously, Waters worked in the county manager’s office beginning in 2001.

Edwards is retiring after 31 years as Polk’s election director.

Waters will begin her new position on Feb. 4 after state officials approve her appointment.

The Elections Office is responsible for conducting all elections in Polk County, including municipal, county, state, and federal elections, as well as special referenda.

The office provides services such as maintaining voter registration records, receiving candidate filing for local candidates, act as campaign finance office for local candidates, provide for remote absentee voting, educate Election Day officials, provide for voting and report Election Day results, among other tasks.