Fate of Early Votes Explained; Security of Early Votes Debatable

Tonight on Georgia Gazette:

Almost a million early Georgia voters have turned out to select their choice for President and local offices, or about a third of the total votes cast in 2004. WGPB's John Sepulvado explains how all those votes are counted.

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Chambliss launches TV ads

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss has launched the first TV commercials in his re-election campaign. They are set to start airing statewide this week and will run during the Democratic and Republican National conventions. One spot features the Republican from Moultrie outlining his belief in GOP bedrock issues like smaller government, lower taxes and personal freedoms. The second ad is a testimonial from his wife Julianne who touts his credentials as "a wonderful husband, a great father, and a fabulous granddaddy." Neither ad mentions Chambliss' Democratic opponent, Jim Martin.

Columbus man running for state rep slot

Zephaniah Baker (Courtesy)

Columbus native 31-year-old Zephaniah Baker, plans to run for District 132 as an independent on the November 4 ballot.

Running what he calls a “people over politics” campaign, Baker says he's calling for better educational opportunities, especially in the district's middle and high schools. He says he wants to create a more welcoming business climate for industry, that would bring, in his words, “high paying jobs,” to the area.

Baker says he started canvassing the district in January, and has received a requisite 990 verified signatures to be added to the ballot as an independent candidate.

Baker tells the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper that he's running, in his words, "for the post," and not against the current Democratic representative, Calvin Smyre.

Smyre is a 30-year veteran of Georgia politics and serves as House Minority Whip.

Click here for more GPB political news coverage.

Elections results certified

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel has certified the results of the state's July 15 primary, except for two contests where there are pending candidacy challenges. In the Democratic primary for Public Service Commission in District 4, Jim Powell has appealed his disqualification from the ballot to the Fulton County Superior Court. Powell easily defeated his opponent, Bob Indech. Handel disqualified Powell the day before the July 15 primary, saying he didn't meet residency requirements.

In the state Senate District 56 an administrative law judge is considering a challenge to the candidacy of Akhtar Sadiq, who was the lone Democrat on the ballot. Dan Moody is the Republican incumbent in that district north of Atlanta.

Powell to Handel: Stop Being Like Katherine Harris

Jim Powell says he first started hearing the rumors over the weekend. What was different about this rumor, as opposed to most political rumors, is that it was one hundred percent true. Jim Powell, largely considered by Democratic leaders as the front runner for the Public Service Commission District 4 Nomination, was kicked off the ballot. This is how Powell says he found out about it:

“I received an email Sunday night, July 13 from a Pickens county Election Board member telling me that he had received an email indicating that I had been disqualified as a candidate.”

Powell has been dogged by other rumors he moved into the district just to run for the seat. Eventually, those rumors made their way to court. However, an administrative judge ruled Powell is a legitimate resident of District 4. During a debate earlier this month, Powell declared “It’s no longer an issue.” His primary opponent, Robert Indech, concurred, saying “In my opinion it is a dead issue.”

Call it the issue from beyond.

Less than a week before the primary, the Secretary of State rose that "dead issue" from the grave and has seemingly buried Powell’s candidacy. Secretary Karen Handel ruled because Powell did not claim a homestead exemption for his house in Towns County, he does not live in the district.

Handel has the authority to determine whether a candidate is eligible, and can do so anytime before the election.

Powell says the whole thing looks like a “sham.” In a lengthy discussion with Georgia Public Broadcasting last night, he objected to the fact he was never personally notified. The Secretary of State’s office instead contacted his attorney, who is out of the country.

Powell also called Handel “the second coming of Katherine Harris,” in reference to the former Florida Secretary of State at the center of that state’s 2000 Presidential re-count.

Yet, Powell has never fully explained why he opted out of homesteading his Towns County home. Powell instead homesteaded his home in Cobb county, and also received mail delivered to that address. The Secretary of State’s office concluded his wife also lived there full time. In an earlier statement, Powell said his wife lived with him in Towns County.

Powell maintains his removal from the ballot is politically motivated. A spokesman for Handel’s office disputes that, saying the decision was made based on facts. State office spokesman Matt Carrothers told GPB “It’s disappointing [Powell] is resorting to personal name calling.” Carrothers also acknowledged his office did not contact the candidate directly.

For now, Powell’s name will stay on the ballot. A Fulton County Judge has stayed Handel’s decision.Yet, should Powell win the nomination as expected, he will have to once again prevail in court.

Powell acknowledges this puts him at a disadvantage against his likely Republican opponent, Lauren “Bubba” McDonald. And if he is ultimately booted from the ballot, Powell says he doesn’t know if he’ll steer his grassroots supporters towards Democrat Bob Indech.

“I have reservations” Powell said, before adding, “I just can’t say right now.”