Georgia elections director resigns over misidentified voters

ATLANTA — Georgia’s elections director resigned Friday.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Linda Ford stepped down at his urging.

The move comes after Kemp says a technical error caused nearly 8,000 voters to be transferred from inactive to canceled status at the wrong time.

Changing the status of long-time, inactive voters to cancelled status is a standard process required by law, but there are strict deadlines and procedures to follow.

Kemp says the status was changed for nearly 8,000 voters within 90 days of an election, which is not allowed.

"These people, their status should've been switched. It was done five days inside of a 90 day deadline, which shouldn't have been done," said Kemp. "I don't think it was done on purpose, but unfortunately, that is a hard deadline and it is well known within the agency."

Ford will be replaced temporarily by Ann Hicks. Hicks served as elections director from 2010-2011and has worked with seven secretaries of state.

WSBTV