Election day is Tuesday November 8th.
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Early voting starts on Monday October 17th and ends on November 4th. Contact your local polling station for information on early voting locations and Saturday voting options. If necessary, the run-off in the general election is scheduled for December 6, 2022.
Visit the MyVoterPage on the Ga SOS website to verify your voting location and view a ballot specific to your municipality/county.
AMENDMENT 1: Constitutional Officers
This question is a constitutional amendment.
As it will read on the ballot: “Should the Constitution of Georgia be amended to include the compensation of the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, principal, commissioner of insurance, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of labor, or any member of the general assembly while such person is serving an indictment of a… crime is suspended from office?”
What the change is about:
Stop compensating some elected officials when charged (formally charged) with criminal offenses.
Who suggested this measure?
Senator Larry Walker III and others on Senate Resolution 134. SR 134 passed in the Senate unanimously (Senator Bill Cowsert) and 169-0 in the House of Representatives.
Why was this measure proposed?
Five months after he was sworn in in 2019, then-Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck was indicted on federal charges related to an ongoing investigation uncovered during his tenure. He refused to resign, but Governor Kemp suspended Beck pending a decision on his case. Nevertheless, the state constitutions stipulated that he should continue to draw his salary and social benefits. State reports later revealed that Beck was paid $343,000 (excluding benefits) while he was suspended before a jury found him guilty on all charges.
Who will be affected?
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Principal of State Schools, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor and Members of the General Assembly.
What YES means:
They support certain elected officials whose salaries are suspended if they are removed from office and also face criminal charges.
What NO means:
They do not support certain elected officials who are receiving compensation while they are suspended on criminal charges, even if the case is pending and has not yet been decided in court. This position overrides the presumption of innocence.
AMENDMENT 2: Temporary property tax changes for disaster areas
This question is a constitutional amendment.
As it will read on the ballot: “Should the Constitution of Georgia be amended to provide that the governmental agency of each county, municipality, and consolidated government and the board of education of each independent and county school system in that state shall have the authority to grant temporary tax relief to properties within its jurisdiction that are acquired as a result of a were severely damaged or destroyed in a disaster and are located in a government-designated disaster area?
What the change is about:
This measure would allow local government agencies to grant temporary property tax relief in areas subject to a natural disaster declaration. This constitutional change comes in response to the tornadoes that ravaged Coweta County last year and denied federal assistance despite a declaration of a state of emergency and in a federal disaster area. While this does not constitute “direct aid”, it is believed that a property tax relief would help property owners in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Who suggested this action?
Rep. Lynn Smith and others on House Resolution 594. It passed the House and Senate unanimously, but a handful of House representatives did not vote: Reps. Carl Gilliard, David Wilkerson, and Marie Metze.
Which means YES
They support local governments, which have the power to grant temporary property tax relief when affected populations are in a declared disaster area.
Which means NO
You do not Supporting local governments with the power to grant temporary property tax exemptions when affected populations are in a declared disaster area.
REFERENDUM A: Tax exemptions for certain wood-related equipment
As it will read on the ballot: “Should the law be approved that grants a statewide exemption from all ad valorem taxes on certain equipment used by timber producers in the production or harvesting of timber?”
What is the referendum supposed to achieve?
Creates a new exception for some equipment used for wood production and harvesting. Equipment listed in the Enabling Acts includes: skidders, felling collectors, debarkers, delimbers, chip harvesters, tub grinders, lumberjacks, chippers, loaders, bulldozers, mid-engine graders and associated attachments. This would also apply to devices that are part of hire-purchase agreements. Actual wood would still be taxed. If approved by voters, it will take effect beginning in the 2023 tax year.
Who suggested this measure?
State Representative Sam Watson and others on House Bill 997. It passed the House of Representatives unanimously with one lawmaker choosing not to vote (Rep Todd Jones) and passed the Senate 50-1 (Senator Lindsey Tippins) in 2022. Three Senators did not vote: Sens. Gloria Butler, Harold Jones II and David Lucas)
Why was this measure proposed?
Since these are technically property tax exemptions, Georgians need to vote on them.
Who will be affected?
People who own and use certain wooden tools are positively influenced. Owners of other devices not otherwise subject to an exemption would be adversely affected.
What YES means:
They support the inclusion of wooden equipment in the list of things not subject to property tax under Georgian law.
What NO means:
They oppose special provisions in the state tax code and do not support the inclusion of wood equipment on Georgia’s list of property tax-exempt items.
REFERENDUM B: Tax exemptions for agricultural implements and agricultural products
As it will read on the ballot: “To approve legislation extending a statewide exemption from ad valorem taxes on farm equipment and certain farm products held by certain businesses to businesses that comprise two or more family farms and that produce dairy and unfertilized Adds eggs from poultry as qualifying agricultural products in view of such an exemption?”
What is the referendum supposed to achieve?
Expand current farm and farm equipment tax exemptions to include: Businesses that are a merger of two or more family farms and include dairy and eggs.
Who suggested this action?
State Representative Sam Watson and others on House Bill 498. It passed the House of Representatives 169-1 (Rep. Meisha Mainor) and passed the Senate unanimously in 2021.
Why was the measure proposed?
According to Georgian law, tax exemptions apply to agricultural products for livestock, crops, nut-bearing trees, fruit, plants, bushes, plants and trees transplanted to another place, and Christmas trees. Since these are technically property tax exemptions, Georgians need to vote on them.
Who will be affected?
Those eligible to claim tax exempt status will be positively impacted. Anyone not eligible and those not already eligible under the current carve outs will be adversely affected.
What YES means:
They support a spin-off in state tax law for certain agricultural and farming equipment. Specifically, you want dairy, eggs, and businesses that are a merger of two or more family farms to be eligible for tax-exempt status. The Georgia Farm Bureau has endorsed this legislation.
What NO means:
They reject special carve-outs in state tax law. They do not support dairy, eggs and businesses that are a merger of two or more family farms to be eligible for tax-exempt status.
