MACON, Ga. — The Macon-Bibb Board of Elections will hear from two candidates running for Bibb County Sheriff next week after the board accused them of being unqualified to run, Mike Kaplan with the Macon-Bibb Board of Elections told 13WMAZ.
Kaplan said the hearing to possibly disqualify candidates Ron Rodgers and Marshall Hughes will be held at their offices at the Macon Mall at 3:30 p.m. next Wednesday, April 10.
Hughes and Rodgers have been fighting to keep their names on the ballot after board officials found they had failed to get fingerprinted and do a background check by the statutory deadline.
A hearing was originally slated for last Wednesday, but the board agreed to postpone the hearing since Rodgers was stuck in Baltimore as part of a school trip.
The two candidates had their qualifications officially challenged by lawyers for the Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections on March 20, according to emails obtained by 13WMAZ.
"It is the Board's understanding that you did not complete this requirement by the deadline and are therefore not qualified to hold the office of Sheriff," the letter reads.
The letter to the candidates said the Board of Elections made the decision to challenge their qualifications in a vote on March 15.
But before they make their decision official, they promised to give the candidates a time and place to make their case to the board.
"Of course, the Board will not make this determination without affording you an opportunity to be heard," the letter said.
While Rodgers was out of town for last Wednesday's meeting, attorney Joseph Siegelman — who is representing Hughes — made his case for pushing the meeting back.
Siegelman told the board pushing the case back would give him more time to request county records, which he hopes will help build up Hughes' case.
"All we're asking for Mr. Hughes is that he receive a full and fair hearing," Siegelman said. "At which time, I think the board will determine that he legally should be entitled to remain on the ballot."
Under Georgia law, candidates for sheriff have a few extra requirements that other candidates for office don't have.
According to the Georgia statute, candidates for sheriff must head to probate court to get fingerprinted and get a background check within three business days after the qualification period ends. That legislation applies to sheriff's races across Georgia.
Hughes and Rodgers are among five other candidates who are trying to replace Bibb County Sheriff David Davis, who is hoping to secure a fourth term.
Hughes has spent 9.5 years as a Bibb County Sheriff's deputy. His election filings say he is now a business owner. Rodgers' filings say he is a law enforcement educator after previously serving as the police chief of Centerville in Houston County.
When the letter challenging their qualifications first went out, Hughes told 13WMAZ that he thought he didn't get a fair shake.
Hughes says he asked Election Supervisor Tom Gillon if there were any other things he needed to do. He said Gillion told him no.
"I asked him specifically before I left, 'Is there was anything else I need or anything else or anything else I needed to turn in' and he said 'No, you're good; you've qualified,'" Hughes said. "That's not right."
Gillon declined an interview with 13WMAZ to discuss Hughes's complaints. However, he said all candidates must sign an affidavit that promises they'd complete the necessary paperwork at probate court by the end of qualifications.
Rodgers sent a short statement saying he would take part in the hearings in hopes of keeping his name on the ballot.
"I fully support the opportunity to do so and respect the process set forth by the board," Rodgers statement said.