A dispute over residency qualifications has delayed the certification of Democratic candidates for the April 1 primary.

The city election commission intended to certify the candidates during a Thursday meeting, but Lowndes County Democratic Party Chair Kabir Karriem asked the election commissioners to wait until the residency challenge could be addressed.

The party set a hearing for 8:30 a.m. Monday at Lowndes County Courthouse to determine whether two candidates in the Ward 2 council race will make it onto the ballot.

“We received a verbal challenge to some residency in the upcoming election, and we wanted to make sure that we provided a hearing for the challenge,” Karriem said. “… We want to make sure we take our time and go through the proper steps to make sure the challenge is heard.”

Karriem said the challenge aligns with one Ward 2 incumbent Joseph Mickens delivered in writing to The Dispatch earlier this week.

Mickens, who is seeking reelection, requested proof of residency for his two opponents, Laisha “Ms. She-She” O’Neal and Roderick Smith. All three candidates are Democrats.

O’Neal told The Dispatch Thursday she had not been notified of the complaint or hearing, but she is not concerned.

“I’m not worried about that complaint,” she said. “I live where I’m supposed to live, where I say I live. I’m good.”

Smith was also unaware of the hearing, but he said he is not worried about it or the complaint.

“I stay within the ward, and I have all my credentials and paperwork,” he told The Dispatch.

Karriem said the party is working closely with the Secretary of State’s Office to make sure all procedures are correctly followed. He expects the hearing to end with a determination Monday.

“From my envisions, whoever brought forth the challenge has to prove what they’re saying,” he said. “We’re going to make a determination, and we’ll just move forward.”

Election Commissioner Panesha McDowell-Harrison said the hearing will give the commission a tight window to have ballots printed and ready before the Feb. 17 deadline.

“I think we’re at a standstill until they tell us who’s going to be on this ballot,” she said during the Thursday meeting. “They’ve kind of got our hands tied. … We’re still in a holding pattern until Monday when they’ve made up their minds.”

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.