Superior Court Dismisses Ballot Access Case

Release, Jeff Amason:

Jeff Amason’s efforts, including his petition in Superior Court, to appear by name on the November ballot was decided in Fulton Superior Court on Monday. Citing a procedural issue with the case, the court dismissed the case. Although the Amason campaign filed suit within the specified five days provided after being informed they were barred from the ballot, the court allowed three weeks to elapse before granting a hearing for the case effectively preventing any timely procedural correction and appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court. The ballots must be finalized for printing by week’s end in order for mailed ballots to be available to military personnel serving overseas.

Amazingly, the issue for the Amason campaign was not the number or validity of the petition signatures, but an unusual notary provision that the notary could not circulate a petition. The Amason campaign relied upon the Georgia statute that allows corporate notaries to notarize virtually any document for a corporation (except in two specific instances that do not apply in the situation). Interestingly, the Secretary of State’s office confirmed in court that Amason had gathered more than enough valid signatures to be placed on the ballot. However, they claimed that the Elections Director, Linda Ford, was not the correct procedural defendant despite the Elections Director being the only official who communicated ballot status with the campaign.

“While we are disappointed that the case, as well as our efforts to appear on the ballot ended in this fashion, we are particularly disappointed that the Superior Court did not take decisive action to protect the will of the voters. This is a unique case. Considering the impact not only on ballot access, but businesses statewide, we had hoped that the Georgia Supreme Court could review the notary law issue.”

“Both Republicans and Democrats have worked together to ensure that other voices cannot be heard, and both parties silence during this process has been very telling. With Democrats continually trumpeting the virtue of having everyone’s voice heard, and the Republican belief that competition in the marketplace leads to the best possible choice for consumers, it is remarkable that neither party would stand on principle and support choice at the ballot box.” Jeff stated.