Michael Cragun, deputy director of the lieutenant governor's office, said the staff has looked through all possible e-mail accounts and found no communications from Allen. He said the office has no ability to assist the candidates, although officials "made every possible effort" to contact candidates who had not filed as the deadline approached.

"It's something we were required by law to do," he said about the removals.

Six legislative candidates were also removed from the ballot throughout the state, all from third parties. Most of those who could be reached for comment said they received postal notice about the deadline and simply forgot to file, although none of them said they were contacted by phone from the elections office prior to the deadline.

Mark Faux, a Constitutional Party candidate in House District 43, said he tried to mail his information to the elections office on Sept. 8, but it was returned after the deadline because of a missing number in the zip code. When he contacted the state for a waiver, he was denied.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com; jtcook@desnews.com