Secretary Handel closes qualifying for House District 127

ATLANTA—Secretary of State Karen Handel closed qualifying for the special election for state House District 127 today at noon. Three candidates qualified and paid the qualifying fee of $400 for the special election to be held on Tuesday, November 6. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election will be held Tuesday, December 4.

The following candidates qualified and will be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order:

Jim Fletcher 711 Hill Street Thomaston, GA 30286	Party Affiliation: Republican
Bonnie Byrd Gardner 723 Oliver Rd. Meansville, GA 30256	Party Affiliation: Democrat
Billy Maddox 440 Whitfield Walk Zebulon, GA 30295	Party Affiliation: Republican

The election will be held in Pike County and portions of Lamar and Upson counties.

The election is a non-partisan special election with no party primary.  However, each candidate’s party affiliation will be listed on the ballot.

Georgia election law provides that people can still qualify as write-in candidates. The last day a person will be able to file a Notice of Intent to be a write-in candidate is Wednesday, September 5.  Those desiring to seek office as a write-in candidate will have to publish notice of their write-in candidacy in their local paper no later than September 5.  A write-in candidate must also file a copy of the published notice along with an affidavit of the date and name of the publication no later than September 10 with the Secretary of State’s office. Write-in candidates do not pay a qualifying fee as their names are not printed on the ballot unless they receive enough votes to be in a runoff election.

All citizens residing in state House District 127 who wish to vote in the special election can register to vote through October 9. Voter registration forms can be obtained at http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm. Polls will be open from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 6. Voters will be required to show photo identification when voting in person.  Identification will not be required to vote absentee ballot by mail.  For more information on the requirements for photo ID, please call 1-877-725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.