Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 183-1-11-.02 - Appearance of Candidate's Name on Ballot

(1) A candidate's name on the ballot shall include the candidate's last name shown on the candidate's voter registration records and at least one of: (1) the first name shown on the candidate's voter registration records or corresponding initial, (2) the middle name shown on the candidate's voter registration records or corresponding initial, (3) an abbreviated name by which the candidate is commonly known in the community, or (4) a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known in the community. Any nickname is subject to Section (2) of this rule.

(2) A candidate's name may include a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known in the community but shall not contain any spurious phrases, title or degree designating the business, fraternal, religious, or professional affiliation of the candidate, or political slogan or message. A title or degree includes, but is not limited to, military or professional title or rank, or references such as "Dr.","Rev.","Judge", "Mr.","Ms.","Mrs.", or "Miss". A determination as to whether a nickname violates this Rule lies within the sound discretion of the Secretary of State or election superintendent, as appropriate.

(3) The total number of spaces, inclusive of letters, spaces, and punctuation, which may be utilized on the ballot for a candidate's name and, if any, nickname, shall be twenty-five (25). Notwithstanding the listing of the candidate's name on the filing papers, spaces, periods, quotation marks, and commas necessary for proper punctuation shall be added by the Secretary of State or the election superintendent, as appropriate. No candidate's name shall exceed twenty-five (25) spaces. The Secretary of State or the election superintendent, as appropriate, shall determine the correct listing for any candidate whose name exceeds twenty-five (25) spaces to conform to this requirement.

(4) A determination as to whether the candidate's requested name on the ballot complies with this Rule shall be within the discretion of the Secretary of State or election superintendent, as appropriate. Upon a determination that the requested name does not comply with this Rule, the Secretary of State or election superintendent, as appropriate shall modify the candidate's name on the ballot so that it complies with this Rule.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 183-1-11-.02

O.C.G.A. §§ 21-2-31, 21-2-132, 21-2-284, 21-2-284.1, 21-2-285, 21-2-285.1, 21-2-287, 21-2-325.

Original Rule entitled "Appearance of Candidate's Name on Ballot" adopted. F. Mar. 3, 2010; eff. Mar. 23, 2010. Amended: F. Nov. 10, 2014; eff. Nov. 30, 2014.