Charlotte Mullis-Morgan told Election Commission members on Tuesday that she plans to retire effective Feb. 4.
Ms. Mullis-Morgan, who has worked in the office for 32 years, said she will stay around to help train her replacement.
She said it was time for a new person to handle the responsibilities of the office.
Ms. Mullis-Morgan has been the administrator since the death of Bud Knowles in April 2010. Scott Allen, a grandson of Mr. Knowles, is the top assistant.
Mike Walden, Election Commission chairman, said a process will begin to choose a new election administrator.
He said the commission plans to have candidates in place by December, then a decision would be made no later than mid-January.
The selection will be by a majority vote of the five-member Election Commission. Members are Republicans Walden, Tommy Crangle and Ruth Braly and Democrats Jerry Summers and Kelvin Scott.
Ms. Mullis-Morgan is currently paid $95,414.