Habersham County’s leading elected official says he and his fellow commissioners support a court ruling ordering a new primary election in Georgia House District 28. County commission chair Victor Anderson issued the following statement to Now Habersham about the decision handed down Tuesday in Banks County:
“The Habersham County Board of Commissioners recognizes and supports the decision by Senior Judge David Sweat. We pledge whatever resources are needed to conduct a new Primary Election at the time and under the terms determined by Judge Sweat.
Our primary concern is the integrity and accuracy of the voting process and assurance to the citizens of Habersham County that their votes count.”
Sweat vacated the results of the May 22nd primary based on evidence that showed at least 70 voters in Habersham and two in Stephens County cast ballots in the wrong state House districts.
Incumbent Rep. Dan Gasaway filed a lawsuit after losing that election by 67 votes. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners filed a motion to dismiss the suit. They fought it for three months before admitting election errors were made that may have impacted the outcome.
On Aug. 29, Anderson announced the commission’s decision to withdraw its motion to dismiss and publicly called for a new election.
Judge Sweat’s ruling clears the way for a do-over Republican primary between Gasaway and former Banks County School Superintendent Chris Erwin.
Another hearing is scheduled this morning in Banks County Superior Court to determine when that election will be held.
Erwin has ten days to appeal the ruling.
