Two Columbus council candidates won’t be kicked off 2022 ballot. This is why
Update: Columbus Council Candidates Demarco “D1” Johnson and Juanita Taylor proved to the Muscogee County Elections Board that they have lived in their districts for the required one year.
Johnson had a lease and water bills proving his address, and Taylor had a notarized affidavit from her landlord.
Both candidates will remain on the May 2022 ballot, said Nancy Boren, the county’s election director.
Original: The Muscogee County Board of Elections voted unanimously to challenge the residency of two Columbus Council candidates who qualified for the upcoming May election.
During its Thursday night meeting, the board alleged Juanita Taylor, a candidate for the District 7 seat, and Demarco “D1” Johnson, a candidate for the District 3 seat, may not have lived within their respective districts for a year prior to the election as required by the city charter.
Muscogee County Elections Director Nancy Boren told the Ledger-Enquirer that Taylor changed her address to a property on Paddy Avenue in July 2021. Prior to that, Taylor’s address listed on her voter registration on 8th Street within District 3.
Johnson changed his voting address from a property on Southern Pines Drive in District 4 to a property on 7th Avenue in District 3 in late October, Boren said.
When reached by phone Friday morning, Taylor said she was not aware of the issue and offered no further comment.
Johnson told the L-E that he plans to appear before the election board next month and provide a copy of his lease which he said would “clarify any doubts.”
“It is not a foregone conclusion that they are going to not appear on the ballot,” Boren said. “They have an opportunity to present their situation.”
Both candidates will receive letters via certified mail asking them to appear before the board on April 7 to prove their residency.
Taylor is one of four candidates seeking to replace longtime councilor Mimi Woodson who is not seeking reelection after winning the seat in 1994.
Johnson a Spencer High grad, is a certified leadership development coach and president of Boyz 2 Men Development, a local mentoring and counseling nonprofit. He is the sole challenger to incumbent Bruce Huff.
This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 10:56 AM.