FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Fulton County judge has ruled that votes cast for a Democratic candidate in the upcoming primary election for the Georgia Public Service Commission will be invalid, following a determination of the candidate’s ineligibility.
During a hearing earlier this week, Judge Ural Glanville upheld Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s decision to disqualify Daniel Blackman, who is vying for the District 3 seat in the June 17 primary. Blackman, a former regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has been contending with questions regarding his residency qualifications.
An administrative law judge previously recommended Blackman’s disqualification, reasoning that he did not sufficiently prove he had lived in District 3 long enough to qualify. State rules stipulate that candidates must reside in their district for at least 12 months before the election. District 3 encompasses key metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton, which have been represented solely by Republicans.
According to the ruling, Blackman moved to Fulton County in October but voted in Forsyth County in early November, leading to claims that he failed to meet residency requirements. He updated his voter registration to his Fulton County address only in April, just before filing his candidacy for the seat.
In his appeal, Blackman argued that he relocated to Fulton County for work while his wife and children remained in Forsyth County to finish the school year. He stated that he delayed registering at his new address to comply with Georgia’s regulations, which require changes to be made at least 30 days before an election.
Judge Glanville noted during the hearing that Blackman’s delay in transferring his voter registration raised doubts about his residency claim. “The court is of the opinion that the secretary’s decision did, in fact, properly apply Georgia law,” Glanville stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to voter registration timelines.
Glanville indicated he would issue a written order soon, which could allow Blackman to pursue further legal options if necessary. If Blackman’s disqualification stands, all votes cast for him in the Democratic primary would be discarded. Competing for the Democratic nomination are three other candidates: Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones, and Keisha Waites, all aiming to challenge Republican Fitz Johnson in the general election.
The fallout from this ruling extends to voters, with signage notifying them of Blackman’s disqualification expected to be placed at polling locations upon the formal release of Glanville’s order, according to Robert Sinners, a spokesperson for Raffensperger.
A Republican primary on June 17 will also take place, featuring incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols facing challenger Lee Muns. Echols has served on the Public Service Commission since 2011 and is set to face Democrat Alicia Johnson in November.
Early voting for the primary concludes this Friday, with Election Day set for June 17.
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