Despite a pending lawsuit between Pike County Commission’s District 5 candidates, the election ballots will still be printed with both names on them.

“We have been advised by the Attorney General’s office to certify the ballots with (Jeff) Baker on the ballots, so I am working to proof them now,” said Pike County Judge of Probate Bill Stone, who is the county election manager.

In June, District 5 incumbent Charlie Harris filed a lawsuit against his independent opponent Jeff Baker, claiming he was not a resident of the district.

Stone said the ballots have to be completed by next week because absentee voting begins then.

If Baker is ruled not to live in District 5, Stone said they will have to address the problem then.

“If there’s any change, we’ll probably have to address it at that point,” Stone said. “The Attorney General’s office said to do what I’m supposed to do now and said they would advise me as to the next steps if it gets there.”

Baker’s address listed on the lawsuit, 1357 County Road 3348 in Brundidge, is not part of the district, said Evelyn Morgan, director of the Pike County Board of Registrars.

In a previous election, Baker ran as a Democrat on the District 5 ticket.

The hearing for the case, originally set for Sept. 24, has been rescheduled for Oct. 6 at 9 a.m.