Now what happens next? What Is the Replacement Process? Until the election is certified on August 17, according to Benton County Election officials we talked to, Hatcher will still be in office. We spoke with Auditor Brenda Chilton Wednesday. Then, an interim replacement is named. They must be an employee of the Benton County Sheriff's Office. This is when it gets complicated. Once that is done, then the County Republican Party must supply a list of 3 names to the Benton County Commissioners, who will choose one of those to fill the rest of Hatcher's term which expires November 2022. Get our free mobile app