Raffensperger Removes Georgia House Candidate Over Nevada Ballot

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger filed a ballot removal challenge against Georgia House candidate David Dillie on Thursday. The filing asks the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings to disqualify Dillie from the November 4 midterm election. Dillie, a Democrat representing District 161 in the Atlanta suburbs, says he will contest the removal. He claims the absentee ballot sent to Nevada was forged and not cast by his hand.

The dispute began when state records showed Dillie voting in both Georgia and Nevada in the 2026 primary. Raffensperger’s office reviewed the records and found Dillie had cast a mail-in ballot in his name. That ballot was sent to the Las Vegas home of his godfather. Dillie lived at that address for several years before moving to Georgia in 2024. He says the person who submitted the ballot has come forward. That individual signed an affidavit stating they cast the vote. Dillie plans to present that affidavit during the hearing.

Dillie told reporters he intends to prove the ballot was not his. He said the affidavit will show the person who sent the mail-in ballot. He argued that a single missing signature or error in a remote location should not cost him the race. He stated that he has been trying to explain the situation since the records surfaced. He noted that the Nevada County Board of Elections also reviewed the records. That review found the ballot was submitted by someone else.

The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings will decide whether to remove Dillie from the ballot. If the court agrees with Raffensperger, Dillie will be out of the race. A replacement candidate from the district will move forward. Dillie said he will fight the decision if it goes against him. He said he wants the public to know the truth about the ballot. He said he will use the hearing to present his evidence. He said he is confident in his case.

Raffensperger’s office has not commented further on the case. The secretary’s office filed the challenge in June after reviewing the records. The filing cites Dillie’s voting in two states as the primary issue. The office said the records showed a clear violation of state law. The hearing will determine if Dillie stays on the ballot for the November 4 election. Dillie’s camp says the ballot was a mistake. They say the error should not disqualify him from running for office.

The case highlights the strict rules for absentee voting in Georgia. Voters must follow specific steps to cast a ballot. Errors can lead to disqualification if not corrected in time. Dillie’s case is one of several election challenges this year. The hearing will be a key test for the state’s election laws. Dillie said he is ready for the process. He said he will do everything he can to stay on the ballot. He said he wants to serve his district. He said he will present his case clearly. The outcome will be decided by the court.