Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he has issued a writ of special election to fill the vacancy of 9th Congressional District due to the resignation of Congressman Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville.

The special election to fill the vacancy will be held April 27, 2010.

Deal, who is running for the GOP nomination for governor submitted his resignation letter last night, effective immediately. He had stayed in the House to cast a vote against President Obama's health care bill.

The 9th Congressional District includes the eastern half of Gordon County, as well as Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Hall, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, Union, Walker, White and Whitfield counties and portions of Forsyth County. Citizens must be registered to vote by Friday, April 2, 2010 to participate in the April 27, 2010 election.

A number of candidates, including state Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, were running for the nomination to fill Deal's seat.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp set qualifying for Monday, March 29, 2010 through Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Qualifying on Monday will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; and on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Candidates will qualify in the Elections Division of the Office of Secretary of State, 1104 West Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30334-1505.

The qualifying fee is $5,220 for this office.