Senate candidate established residency by demonstrating physical presence in the district and intent to remain.

Topic: Elections, Decided by: Judge Malihi 
Docket Number: 1411739 , Decision Date: October 17, 2013 
Attachment: Click here to download the decision. 

The Georgia Constitution requires candidates for State Senate to have been legal residents of the district in which they are running for at least one year preceding the date of the election.  In December 2011, Matthew Laughridge, a Republican candidate for State Senate District Fourteen, established legal residency in that district by demonstrating physical presence and an intent to stay.  While searching for a permanent home, he lived, first, on a houseboat and, then, in an apartment – both of which were in District Fourteen.  His intent to remain in State Senate District Fourteen was not undermined by the fact that he continued to use his parents\’ address for various purposes.

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