An investigation into a complaint made against a candidate for mayor of Statesboro last fall revealed that Bulloch County’s election supervisor was not in compliance with state law regarding her qualifications and credentials.
While the election supervisor was made aware of the deficiency at least four months ago, the county only learned of the issue when an open records request was filed.
Campaign Sign Complaint During 2025 Election Cycle
According to records obtained from the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, a complaint was filed by Bradley Hires during the 2025 municipal election cycle. On October 25, 2025, Hires submitted a complaint through the online portal regarding signage in proximity to the county annex where early voting takes place. In the complaint, he wrote:
“There are full sized campaign ads roughly 50 feet from the building by one candidate. Raymond Harris.
Ga Code 21-2-414 States 150 feet or greater must be maintained.”
An investigation was opened by the state and an investigator was assigned. In his eventual report, Investigator Josh Blanchard wrote:
“Election Supervisor Shontay Jones confirmed the sign was on the private property of Leap Joy Inflatables across from the voting location. She stated that campaign signs from various candidates had historically been placed on the property in years past. She provided previously completed 150-foot boundary maps from Bulloch County E-911.
Property owner Ken Jackson confirmed he allowed the sign on his property and noted this had been common practice in prior elections.
Investigator Blanchard independently measured the distances from both main entrances of the annex building to the sign. All measurements showed the sign was well beyond the 150-foot boundary, with distances ranging from approximately 175 to 187 feet.
During the investigation, it was also discovered that Bulloch County lacked an employee with the required Georgia Election Official Certification (GEOC). Election Supervisor Shontay Jones, who has held her position since July 2021 only has the Georgia Registrar Official Certification (GROC), which does not meet the requirements outlined in O.C.G.A. § 21-2-101(a). Investigator Blanchard located a copy of the State of Georgia’s 2025 County and Municipal Certification List for Bulloch County.”
The report concluded by noting that the findings were submitted to the State Election Board for review. The matter has yet to be considered by the Board due to backlog but remains pending.
State Law on Certifications
The state law governing election supervisor certifications was last amended in 2018. Specifically, Georgia law requires that the election supervisor must become certified by completing a certification program approved by the Georgia SOS within six months of their appointment.
The purpose of the certification is for the individual to “demonstrate proficiency” in the operation of the state’s electronic voting equipment, the operation of the voting equipment used in the superintendent’s jurisdiction, and in state and federal law and procedures related to elections.
According to the certification portal, the certification includes 10 courses and assessments.
County Documentation on Certification
Jones, who has worked for the county since 1998, was appointed to the position in July 2021. At the time, she was already a member of the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials and county staff said Jones was “well-positioned to manage the elections and registration process…” Since taking over, she has supervised at least nine elections, including:
2021 municipal election (within 6-month window from appointment)
2022 primary
2022 general election
2023 municipal elections
2024 primary election
2024 primary runoff election
2024 general election which included a presidential election
2025 SPLOST referendum
2025 municipal election
On March 26, TheGeorgiaVirtue filed an Open Records Request with the county regarding Jones’ credentials and related correspondence.
Emails show that Jones contacted the Secretary of State’s Office on November 18, 2025 regarding the investigator’s findings.
Jones told the SOS Election Support & Administrative Specialist: “I had taken all classes I thought and even went to Atlanta for the CES training, but I can’t put my hands on any documentation after my appointment as Supervisor in July 2021. The investigator says he can see my registrar certification, since I have been here since 1998.”.
SOS Response (on the same date): “Are you referring to your GEROC certification?”
Jones (on the same date): “Yes
Email thread ends.
On November 26, 2025, Jones emailed another SOS contact and asked if he still has a record of her attendance from a class in 2021. “Do you all still have a record of attendance for the CES portion of the GEOC I completed in 2021? If so, can you send me the information regarding hours and grades if any…”
On December 5, 2025, Jones emailed the same individual as a follow-up to her November 26 email.
No other correspondence with the SOS was provided, but a course record for Jones from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at UGA dated March 26, 2026 was provided to TGV and indicates Jones participated in conferences for election officials in 2021, 2022, twice in 2023, and 2025. Each amounted to 1.2 to 1.55 credit hours per year but do not credit toward the required certification.
County Manager Chris Eldridge told TheGeorgiaVirtue Thursday that the county was unaware of the issue until it was brought to their attention due to the open records request on March 26. “Once identified, all affected employees immediately completed the require online training and testing over the weekend.”
Jones’ certificate was provided as part of the response from the county on March 31 and revealed that Jones received her certificate on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Going Forward
Though Jones has now completed her certification, the State Election Board can still take action. State law allows the Board to fine both the election superintendent and the county governing authority which employs them when a certification is not attained within the statutory timeframe. The Board also has the authority to require additional or remedial training as well as limit, suspend, or revoke a certification. The case has not yet been placed on the Board calendar.
County Manager Chris Eldridge said in an emailed statement:
“It is our understanding that the Elections Supervisor has attended and completed the yearly training requirements since being appointed to the position. While I can’t change the past or comment on the State of Georgia’s monitoring processes, we are currently evaluating our internal procedures to determine where changes are necessary. Within the organization, the majority of certification and licensing requirements fall under public safety, and I feel we have a firm handle on those areas. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”
View the complaint.
View the investigative report.
