Forsyth election results upheld

ATLANTA - The Georgia Supreme Court has upheld the results of the July 20 Forsyth County Chief Magistrate election.

The ruling means incumbent Barbara Cole will be allowed to retain the post unless the decision is overturned on appeal.

Cumming lawyer Melissa Banker, who ran against Cole, lost by about 1,000 votes out of the 15,000 that were cast.

Banker had challenged the results saying some voters didn't know their votes for a third candidate on the ballot, who had withdrawn, would not be counted.

But, the Supreme Court said that while the notification of voters about the third candidate's withdrawal may have been "imcomplete," there was no reason to believe the outcome of the election turned on this issue.