Elections officials call special election to fill unexpired Dougherty Commission seat

ALBANY — Dougherty County Elections Supervisor Ginger Nickerson confirmed late Thursday afternoon that a special election had been called for May 20 to fill the unexpired District 5 Dougherty County Commission seat.

The Dougherty County Elections Board met Wednesday and called the special election, which became necessary when District 5 Commissioner Gloria Gaines resigned her seat to run for the commission chairmanship, to coincide with local primaries on May 20.

Nickerson had previously said state law allows only two days for a special called election during even-numbered years: the presidential preference primary and the general election. Since there is no presidential election this year, the assumption was that the called election would be held on Nov. 4, the day of the general election.

But Dougherty County ordinances state that no commission seat may be kept vacant for a period of longer than six months, and the Nov. 4 general election is a little more than seven months away. Nickerson said Thursday afternoon she confirmed the Elections Board’s decision with County Attorney Spencer Lee.

With the special election moved up to May 20, qualifying will be held Wednesday-Friday, March 26-28. The 2 1/2-day qualifying period will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and end at noon on the 28th. Qualifying will be conducted in the Elections office, Room 220 of the downtown Government Center.

Qualifying fee is $288.

Contractor Harry James, who was defeated by Gaines when she first took office in 2008, is the only candidate who has announced his intention to run for the vacant District 5 seat.

Nickerson also announced Thursday that the last day to register to vote in the special election is April 21. A runoff election, if required, would be held July 22.