Tuesday morning, a written challenge to the mayoral candidacy of John Allen Moore was filed by Derek Harper, a city of Pearson voter, in accordance with O.C.G.A. §21-2-6. The Atkinson County Board of Elections & Registration has tentatively scheduled a hearing on the challenge for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at their office in Pearson.
The basis of the challenge is an allegation of Mr. Moore having state income tax liens and falsifying his oath of candidacy by declaring he was not a defaulter on any federal or state taxes. The Board has also been presented separately with documentation showing a purported State of Georgia tax lien in the amount of $13,864.31, and a purported Federal tax lien in the amount of $25,607.54.
At the hearing, Mr. Moore will be provided an opportunity to establish his qualification for his candidacy for Mayor. The Board will make its decision as to his qualification at the conclusion of the hearing. Either party may then appeal the Board’s decision to Superior Court within 10 days.
The Atkinson County Board of Elections & Registration is contracted to handle municipal elections and related issues by written agreement with the City of Pearson. This information is being provided to the media by County Attorney Shea Browning on behalf of the Atkinson County Board of Elections & Registration.
DouglasNow reached out to Mr. Moore for comment but had not received a reply at the time this story was posted.