Contender For Mableton Council Disqualified Due To Returned Check

MABLETON, GA — A candidate who once qualified to run for the Mableton City Council has been disqualified due to a returned check, Cobb County officials said Monday.

Paul Chukelu initially qualified to fill the District 3 council seat but Cobb County Elections Director Janine Eveler said his name was removed from the ballot after a qualifying fee payment bounced due to insufficient funds.

Chukelu, a physician, was given until Feb. 3 to show evidence that the returned check was an error of the bank; otherwise, his name will not be added back to the ballot, officials said.

The March 21 special election comes after residents voted to make Mableton an incorporated city in the November 2022 general election. Mableton has 24 months to make the transition into its new cityhood.

Three council members will serve until December 2025 while the remaining three will serve until December 2027. Following the inaugural city council, coucilmembers will serve four-year terms.

Six candidates qualified for mayor while 25 candidates qualified for the city council.

County officials said the candidates for the council seats are campaigning with non-partisan platforms.

Elected officials cannot serve longer than three consecutive terms, officials said.

A full list of candidates can be found on the elections office's website.

Patch tried calling a number listed for Chukelu late Monday afternoon but was unable to reach him.