Cobb County Sheriff Candidate Disqualifications Reversed

Press release from the Cobb County Government:

April 3, 2020

On March 26, 2020, Cobb County Board of Elections & Registration disqualified Gregory B. Gilstrap and Craig D. Owens as Democratic candidates for Sheriff. Both candidates have appealed the decision to the Superior Court. Today, the Board agreed to a consent order with Gregory Gilstrap that reverses the disqualification. Mr. Gilstrap’s attorney has presented a previous court order from 2004 showing that local legislation cannot be used to set the requirements for the office of sheriff, because it is a constitutional office in the State of Georgia. Since a similar matter has already been adjudicated, the Board agrees that the previous order would also apply in this case. In addition, Mr. Gilstrap has filed an amended affidavit designating a new chief deputy to correct the deficiencies found by the Board in the March 26 hearing.

This press release was produced by Cobb County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.