Macon-Bibb Elections Board disqualifies two sheriff candidates
In a special-called qualifying challenge hearing held Wednesday afternoon, the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections voted to disqualify two candidates from the upcoming race for Bibb County Sheriff.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In a special-called qualifying challenge hearing held Wednesday afternoon, the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections voted to disqualify two candidates from the upcoming race for Bibb County Sheriff. Marshall Hughes and Ron Rodgers were ruled ineligible to run in a 3-2 vote.
The decision comes ahead of the election period, with early voting scheduled to start on Monday, April 29 and Election Day on May 21. According to Board of Elections chairperson Mike Kaplan, Hughes and Rodgers have until the start of the early voting period to file an appeal in Bibb County Superior Court.
As of now, the field of candidates vying for the position of Bibb County Sheriff include incumbent David Davis, Chris E. Patterson, Christopher Jatori Paul and Deandre Akeem Hall.
Wednesday’s hearing, originally scheduled for March 27 before being pushed back two weeks, was called to address concerns related to Hughes and Rodgers not getting fingerprinted and undergoing background checks within three business days after qualification, which Kaplan says is a state requirement to run for sheriff.
The requirement in question is described in O.C.G.A. § 15-16-1 (G):
“(G) Is fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record, which fingerprints are to be taken under the direction of the judge of the probate court of the county in which such person is qualifying and must be taken on or before, but no later than, the close of business on the third business day following the close of such qualification period.”
“I received a letter on March 20th, 2024 from the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections regarding my qualifications as a candidate for Sheriff,” Rodgers wrote in a letter sent to media outlets last month, adding he planned to be at the March 27 meeting “to participate in the decision process.”
“I fully support the opportunity to do so and respect the process set forth by the board,” he wrote.
Kaplan says Wednesday’s hearing, which consisted of lawyers in a “courtroom setting,” lasted nearly three hours.
