A federal judge in Atlanta has ordered Georgia's secretary of state to reinstate a district attorney election he canceled so that Gov. Brian Kemp could appoint a replacement. 

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Cohen also held that a 2018 state law intended to expand the governor's authority so that appointed DAs could remain in office longer before they must face election violates the Georgia Constitution.

Cohen said in his order granting a preliminary injunction to former legislator Deborah Gonzalez that nothing prevents Kemp from filling the vacancy created in February when Western Circuit District Attorney Ken Mauldin resigned.  But Cohen said the governor must do so before the close of a special qualifying period the judge set. Cohen also ordered Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to conduct a special election for Mauldin's vacated post on Nov. 3. The circuit seat is in Athens.