Outgoing Griffin Board of Commissioners member Rodney McCord’s challenge to the legitimacy of his successor Shaheer Beyah’s election has moved up the administrative ladder since it was filed.

“We’re waiting on a judge,” said Debbie Brooks, deputy clerk for the Spalding County Superior Court.

Under Georgia law, a judge from the local judicial circuit cannot handle the case. A judge from outside the judicial circuit must be found.

“That’s done by the court administrator’s office,” she said.

She did not know how long that would take.

Court Administrator Will Simmons, who oversees the Sixth Judicial Administrative District and is based in McDonough, said he has received McCord’s complaint.

“We are waiting on the district administrative judge to assign the order,” he said.

The district administrative judge will assign another judge to handle the case. Simmons said he is expecting an appointment at any time.

The judge assigned to the case will then determine the time and location of hearings on the disputed election.