The Resolution of Election Disputes: Legal Principles that Control Election Challenges 421 S.E.2d 706 262 Ga. 468, 421 S.E.2d 706 (Cite as: 262 Ga. 468, 421 S.E.2d 706) for the candidates, as was done here. However, OCGA § 21-2-438(a), governing the conduct of elections using paper ballots, provides that "[i]n primaries, votes cast for candidates who have died, withdrawn, or been disqualified shall be void and shall not be counted." (Emphasis supplied.) We make no distinction between a paper ballot marked by a pencil and a cardboard ballot "marked" by a punch. We hold that the vote recorder ballots used by Wayne County are governed by the provisions of OCGA § 21-2-438(a) in absence of statutory authority to the contrary. As such, the votes cast for Larry Hulvey were void and should not have been counted. The judgment of the trial court is therefore reversed. Judgment reversed. BELL, P.J., and HUNT, BENHAM, FLETCHER and SEARS-COLLINS, JJ., concur. 262 Ga. 468, 421 S.E.2d 706 END OF DOCUMENT 306 © 2006 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. Page 2