Georgia Secretary of State Press Office

Secretary Handel Announces the Close of Qualifying for state Senate District 13

ATLANTA—Secretary of State Karen Handel announced the close of candidate qualifying for the Special Primary Election to fill state Senate District 13 on Friday, July 18, 2008 at noon. Five candidates qualified and paid the qualifying fee of $400 for the Special Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

The following candidates qualified and will be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order:

John Dickey Crosby 807 Wilson Ave. Tifton, GA 31794	Party Affiliation: Republican
Horace Hudgins 118 Brittney Way Ocilla, GA 31744	Party Affiliation: Republican
Wally Roberts 152 Miller Rd. Leesburg, GA 31763	Party Affiliation: Republican
Rusty Simpson 1020 North College Ave. Tifton, GA 31794	Party Affiliation: Republican
Bob Usry 586 Hwy 118 E. Smithville, GA 31787	Party Affiliation: Republican

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2008. The Special Primary will be held in Ben Hill, Crisp, Irwin, Lee, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, and a portion of Wilcox County. Advance voting will be held Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1, 2008. To find your advanced voting location, contact your county registrar’s office.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar’s office through the close of business on Friday, August 1, 2008. All absentee ballots must be received by the county registrar by close of business on Election Day, August 5, 2008. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail.

Voters will be required to show photo identification when voting in person. For more information on the requirements for photo ID, please call 1-877-725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.