Residency rules disqualify two candidates from Atlanta City Council race

Two city council candidates disqualified

A major defeat this afternoon for two candidates for Atlanta City Council. The city clerk has disqualified the two from the District 11 council race over residency issues.

ATLANTA - Two candidates for Atlanta City Council have been disqualified from the District 11 race after the city clerk ruled they did not meet residency requirements.

What we know:

The decision removes first-time candidates Keith Lewis Jr. and Sherry Williams from the ballot. The clerk determined neither candidate could prove they had lived in the district for at least one year before qualifying, citing missing documents such as tax returns, driver’s licenses and voter registrations.

What they're saying:

Lewis, 45, said the process was unfair and that the ruling is a loss for the community. "The city of Atlanta loses when community-first people like him are disqualified," he said. He added that he has served the community with "dignity and pride" but felt the system failed him.

During last week’s hearing, Williams argued that she has lived in District 11 for years, presented a lease and called witnesses to support her residency claim. Her voter registration records were the main point of challenge.

Can they run for Atlanta City Council?

Today marks a crucial day for two candidates vying for a spot on the Atlanta City Council. They are awaiting the city clerk's decision on whether they can continue their campaign for the District 11 council seat, following a voter's challenge to their residency in the district. Let's turn to Fox 5's Aungelique Proctor at City Hall for the latest update. Aungelique, has a decision been made?

On Tuesday morning, Williams' attorney sent FOX 5 Atlanta the following statement:

Candidate Sherrie Williams is a longtime resident of district 11 and provided witness testimony from at least seven people not including herself in addition to our landlord A. testing to her longtime residence in the 11th district. We disagree with the clerk's decision and are appealing it to Superior Court.

Lewis said he does not plan to appeal the ruling but intends to run again in the future.

What's next:

The disqualifications shrink the crowded District 11 field, which began with 10 candidates, to eight.

Williams said her attorney would appeal the decision.