Fulton County Superior Court judge reinstates Daniel Blackman on ballot in Georgia PSC race amid residency dispute

ATLANTA—Daniel Blackman, Democratic candidate for Georgia’s Public Service Commission District 3 seat, is officially back on the ballot after a Fulton County Superior Court judge issued an injunction on Friday, May 30, against the Secretary of State for disqualifying him. 

Blackman has bounced on and off the ballot since Early Voting for the primary got underway this week. Blackman, one of four Democrats running in the June 17 Special Primary Election, initially was removed from the ballot after an administrative judge ruled on May 27—the first day of Early Voting—that he failed to meet the state’s 12-month residency requirement for candidates. Signs that were posted at precincts stating his removal from the ballot were immediately removed, said Rockdale County Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham. District 3 includes residents in Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton and Rockdale counties, Willingham said. 

The challenge was filed by voter Rodney Stephens, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. Under state law, candidates for the PSC must have lived in their respective districts at least one year prior to election. 

The injunction paves the way for Blackman to remain on the ballot and for his votes to continue to be counted pending the outcome of the court’s appeal, which is scheduled June 10.

The Georgia Public Service Commission, which  is elected statewide, regulates utilities such as gas and electricity. The PSC has power over what Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric provider, can charge customers for electricity.

Early voting runs May 27-June 13, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Weekend voting will be held on Saturdays, May 31 and June 7, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sundays, June1 and  

June 8, noon to 5 p.m. Election Day is June 17. 

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