SOS Kemp Disqualifies Four Candidates After Ballot Challenges

From a press release:

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Today Secretary of State Brian Kemp issued his final decision in candidate challenges for five contests on the upcoming May 24 General Primary and Nonpartisan Election ballot.

To initiate a candidate challenge, an elector residing within a district must submit a complaint to the Secretary of State’s office alleging grounds for the disqualification of a candidate. The Secretary of State may also initiate a challenge upon his or her own motion.

When an elector’s challenge is received by the office, a hearing is requested at the Office of State Administrative Hearings where the challenged candidate may present evidence establishing his or her qualifications for the office. An OSAH judge reports his or her findings on the evidence to the Secretary of State who then determines whether a candidate is qualified or not qualified to remain on the ballot.

Four candidates have been disqualified from running for office in the Georgia General Assembly. District Attorney candidate, William Jeremy Salter, has been deemed qualified to run for office in the Rome Judicial Circuit in May.

Gerald Harvey v. James Frank Austin, Jr.

On April 20, 2016, Judge Kristin Miller of the Office of State Administrative Hearings entered an initial decision that James Frank Austin, Jr. is not qualified to seek election to Georgia House District 142. Today Secretary Kemp formally adopted the Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and disqualified Mr. Austin as a candidate in House District 142.

Since there is insufficient time to strike the Respondent’s name or reprint the ballots, a prominent notice shall be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of the disqualification of Respondent and all votes cast for Respondent shall be void and shall not be counted. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-5(c).

Don Hogan v. Kenneth Brown

On April 14, 2016, Judge Kimberly Shroer of the Office of State Administrative Hearings entered an initial decision that Kenneth Brown is not qualified to seek election to Georgia House District 179. Today Secretary Kemp formally adopted the Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and disqualified Mr. Brown as a candidate in House District 179.

Since there is insufficient time to strike the Respondent’s name or reprint the ballots, a prominent notice shall be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of the disqualification of Respondent and all votes cast for Respondent shall be void and shall not be counted. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-5(c).

Curt Thompson v. Artur Bumburyak

On April 8, 2016, Judge Michael Malihi of the Office of State Administrative Hearings entered an initial decision that Artur Bumburyak is not qualified to seek election to Georgia Senate District 5. Today Secretary Kemp formally adopted the Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and disqualified Mr. Bumburyak as a candidate for Senate District 5.

Since there is insufficient time to strike the Respondent’s name or reprint the ballots, a prominent notice shall be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of the disqualification of Respondent and all votes cast for Respondent shall be void and shall not be counted. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-5(c).

Dianne Rogers v. Jeff Sadiq a.k.a. Jaffar Sadiq

On April 18, 2016, Judge Ronit Walker of the Office of State Administrative Hearings entered an initial decision that Jeff Sadiq a.k.a. Jaffar Sadiq is not qualified to seek election to Georgia Senate District 39. Today Secretary Kemp formally adopted the Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and disqualified Mr. Sadiq as a candidate for Senate District 39.

Since there is insufficient time to strike the Respondent’s name or reprint the ballots, a prominent notice shall be placed at each affected polling place advising voters of the disqualification of Respondent and all votes cast for Respondent shall be void and shall not be counted. See O.C.G.A. § 21-2-5(c).

James Orr v. William Jeremy Salter

On April 18, 2016, Judge Stephanie Howells of the Office of State Administrative Hearings entered an initial decision that William Jeremy Salter is qualified to seek election for District Attorney in the Rome Judicial Circuit. Today Secretary Kemp formally adopted the Judge’s findings of fact and conclusions of law and deemed Mr. Salter qualified to run as a candidate for District Attorney in the Rome Judicial Circuit.