woodville — Judge Jim Persons issued his final ruling in the Wilkinson County election contest Friday.

Persons ruled that a special Democratic primary run-off election will take place April 15 and the general election will be May 20.

The results of the Aug. 9 Wilkinson County Democratic primary election were thrown out in late February after questions about the reliability of the paper ballots led Persons to rule they could not be counted.

With the paper ballots thrown out, Persons said the will of Wilkinson County’s voters could not be determined and a new election must take place.

The contest was filed by Circuit Clerk Mon Cree Allen, Sheriff Reginald “Pip” Jackson and District 2 Supervisor Richard Hollins after 17 of the 31 members of the Wilkinson County Democratic Executive Committee decided to throw out the paper ballots in September, which reversed the election wins of Allen, Hollins and Jackson.

Circuit clerk candidate Lynn Tolliver Delaney, supervisor candidate Kirk Smith and sheriff candidate Jessie Stewart — who were declared the winners of the election after the ballots were tossed in September — filed as respondents to the contest.

The committee decided to toss the ballots after Delaney, Smith and Stewart leveled allegations of voter fraud and intimidation at the September hearing.

Persons also ruled that each of the above parties are required to submit to the court names of people they deem acceptable to serve as special master. The special master’s duty is to ensure the security of the ballot boxes and the ballots. The recommendations for special master are to be submitted to court on or before noon Tuesday.

Persons also ruled that the special master will be responsible for conducting the primary run-off election.

The court will confer with the secretary of the state in regard to the funding of the special master.