Gov. Perdue Moves Special Election to May 11 To Ensure Overseas Soldiers Votes Will Be Counted Candidate Lee Hawkins' Praises Governor's Decision

Press Release

Gov. Sonny Perdue has moved the special election for the 9th District congressional seat and two state legislative seats to ensure that the votes of soldiers in remote places around the globe will arrive back home in time to be counted.

"I commend Governor Perdue for deciding quickly to change the date of the special election," said Lee Hawkins, candidate for Georgia's 9th District congressional seat. "And thanks to Secretary of State Brian Kemp for wisely raising the issue. With any concerns at all about a portion of votes not being back here in time, both made the right decision. Our soldiers deserve a guarantee that they would not in effect be denied their most basic right of citizenship."

Hawkins is seeking to fill the seat vacated by Nathan Deal's resignation from the U.S. House.

The special election was originally set for April 27.

"The thought of our soldiers abroad casting ballots ought to remind us all of how precious the right to vote is, and the price America's soldiers have paid for our basic rights through nearly 250 years," he said.

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