Court Opinion

ID: 9620543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:43:40.624098+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:33.457742
License: Public Domain

Gunter, Justice,
concurring.
It is my view that Code Ann. § 34A-1501 is not unconstitutional; it does not violate due process of law for *578failure to provide for notice to and a hearing for candidates involved in a contested municipal election.
Candidates participating in municipal elections are bound by and subject to the provisions of the "Georgia Municipal Election Code,” Code Ann. Title 34A. Such candidates get their names on the ballot pursuant to Code Ann. Ch. 34A-9. Such candidates are on notice by statute (Code Ann. § 34A-1501) that the election in which they participated as candidates can be contested by another candidate by the filing of a contest petition with the city clerk within five days after the results of the election are declared by the governing authority of the municipality. If such a petition is not filed within the five-day period, there is no contest. But if such a petition is properly filed within the five-day period, the mere filing with the clerk is notice of the contest to all candidates who participated in the municipal election.
The filing of the contest petition with the municipal clerk satisfies due process notice requirements for candidates involved in the election. Under this statutory provision it is the duty and responsibility of a winning candidate to determine by inquiry to the clerk whether his declared election has been contested. Due process does not require that he be personally served with a copy of the petition of contest that has been filed in the office of the clerk.
After the filing of the petition of contest, the statute adequately provides for a hearing before the municipal governing authority, and it also adequately provides for an appeal from the decision of the governing authority to the superior court.
I concur in the reversal of the judgment below.