2020 Democratic Candidate Guide – November 3
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Deadline for Voter Registration
October 5
Early Voting
October 12 – October 30
List of Locations
Election Day:
November 3
Click here to read about how to get registered, different ways you can vote in Georgia, and frequently asked questions about the voting process.
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Click to expand each section. Find your districts at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_toggle title=”President/Vice President” size=”lg”]
| Joe Biden Joe Biden is the former Vice President of the United States under Barack Obama and a former United States Senator representing Delaware. joebiden.com |
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| Kamala Harris Kamala Harris is a lawyer, former Attorney General of Calfornia, and served as senator representing California since 2017. joebiden.com |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Statewide Races”]
US Senate
(Perdue’s seat)
| Jon Ossoff An investigative journalist, Jon Ossoff most notably ran as the Democratic nominee in the 2017 special election in Georgia’s 6th District. electjon.com |
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US Senate
(Loeffler’s seat)
| Deborah Jackson Deborah Jackson served as the Mayor of Lithonia from January 2012 to 2020, and she is an attorney with over 30 years of experience. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in public policy and community economic development, and a J.D. in political science and international affairs. deborahforgeorgia.com/ |
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| Jamesia James Jamesia James is a seasoned entrepreneur of 10 years and a military veteran. For two years, Ms. James served under Congressman John Lewis (2016-2018) in District 5 where she assisted with the elderly and disenfranchised American rights to healthcare, education and social security. jamesiajames.com |
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| Tamara Johnson-Shealey Tamara Johnson-Shealey is a Georgia native and a local business owner. She has lobbied for state legislation for her industry to improve tax policies, continuing education standards as well as health and safety standards. tamaraforgeorgia.com |
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| Matt Lieberman Matt Lieberman quit practicing law after two years to become a school teacher and later started a business to provide health care to families, small business and union members. He is the son of former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman. liebermanforsenate.com |
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| Joy Felicia Slade Joy Felicia Slade is a physician. |
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| Ed Tarver Ed Tarver served seven years in the United States Army, then went on to graduate from UGA’s Law School. From 2005 to 2009, he represented Augusta in the Georgia General Assembly before being appointed by President Barack Obama as a federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Georgia. tarverforsenate.com |
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| Raphael Warnock A graduate of Morehouse College, Raphael Warnock serves as the Senior Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the former pulpit of Reverent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. warnockforgeorgia.com |
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| Richard Dien Winfield Richard Dien Winfield has taught at the University of Georgia for 37 years, where has has supported striking workers and joined unionizing efforts. winfieldforsenate.com/ |
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Public Service Commissioner – District 1
(Voted on by the entire state but must reside within district)
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Robert G Bryant Robert Bryant is a product of Chatham County public schools, and built his career and professional reputation in the field of higher education. robertforga.com |
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Public Service Commissioner – District 4
(Voted on by the entire state but must reside within district)
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Daniel Blackman Daniel Blackman is a respected community leader, impact investor, and policy advisor. danielforgeorgia.com |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”North Fulton – US Congress, State Senate, State House”]
Find your districts at: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
US House
6th District
| Lucy McBath (incumbent) Congresswoman Lucy McBath is a mother, a wife, an author and a vocal advocate for common sense gun control. lucyforcongress.com |
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11th District
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Dana Barrett
Dana Barrett is a former talk show host, a single working mother, and a breast cancer survivor. |
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State Senate District 40
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Sally Harrell (incumbent)
During her tenure in the Senate, as well as the Georgia House of Representatives, Sally Harrell has championed a wide range of women and children’s healthcare issues, advocated for access to mental health services, and fought for mandatory school recess for children. |
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State Senate District 48
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Michelle Au
Michelle Au is a first-generation Chinese-American immigrant, and an anesthesiologist at Emory-St. Joseph’s hospital. |
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State Senate District 56
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Sarah Beeson
Sarah Beeson is a Roswell native and mother who operates a 50+ employee family business that has been based in Roswell for over two decades.
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State House District 22
| Charles Ravenscraft Charles Ravenscraft has lived in Georgia since 1986, and is a member of IBEW union. ravenscraftforhd22.com |
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State House District 25
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Christa Olenczak |
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State Senate District 32
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Christine Triebsch
Christine Triebsch is a family law attorney who has lived in Cobb County for 21 years. |
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State House District 45
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Sara Tindall Ghazal
Sara Ghazal is a wife, mother, attorney and advocate, and previously Voter Protection Director for the Democratic Party of Georgia. |
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State House District 47
| Anthia Carter Anthia Owens Carter is a veteran home school mom of almost 20 years and a small-scale business owner as an American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR Instructor. anthiaowenscarter.com |
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State House District 48
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Mary Robichaux (incumbent)
Mary Robichaux’s worked over 35 years in Healthcare Management, and has fought for improved healthcare and education for the state of Georgia. |
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State House District 49
| Jason Hayes Jason Hayes is a board-certified internal medicine physician, small business owner and volunteer in Alpharetta. He is a former CDC epidemiology intern, former Congressional intern with Rep. Jim Cooper (D) and former National Health Service Corp physician. Jason’s platform is focused on healthcare, small business advocacy, education and transportation. jasonhayesforgeorgia.com |
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State House District 50
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Angelika Kausche (incumbent)
The first German-American lawmaker to serve in Georgia’s legislature, Angelika Kausche is a former professor and an advocate for common sense gun legislation. |
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State House District 51
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Josh McLaurin (incumbent)
Josh McLaurin is a native of Metro Atlanta and a trial lawyer with a history of public service through volunteer work. |
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State House District 52
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Shea Roberts
Shea Roberts is an attorney and small business owner, focused primarily on land use and family law with two decades of experience serving Sandy Springs. |
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State House District 80
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Matthew Wilson (incumbent)
Matthew Wilson is a Georgia native, a trial lawyer, and a former middle school teacher. |
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State House District 95
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Beth Moore (incumbent)
Beth Moore is a metro Atlanta native, a lawyer, and has worked to improve health care and advance public transportation initiatives while in the state legislature. |
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Fulton County Commissioner – District 2
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Justin Holsomback
Justin Holsomback works as an IT Technical Recruiter for a certified woman-owned business in Sandy Springs and currently serves as Secretary for the Democratic Party of Georgia, |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Mid Fulton – US Congress, State Senate, State House”]
Find your districts at: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
US House
5th District
| Nikema Williams Nikema Williams has served in the state senate since 2017 and is the current Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. nikemaforcongress.com |
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State Senate District 06
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Jen Jordan (incumbent)
Jen Jordan is an attorney who has fought hard for education reform during her tenure in the state senate. |
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State Senate District 36
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Nan Orrock (incumbent)
Senator Nan Orrock was elected by Atlanta voters to the Georgia Senate in 2006, after serving 10 terms in the House of Representatives, where she was the first woman elected as House majority whip.
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State Senate District 38
| Horacena Tate (incumbent) Horacena Tate has served in the state senate since 1999. |
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State House District 40
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Erick Allen (incumbent)
Erick Allen was first elected in 2018 and is a long-time resident of Cobb County. |
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State House District 52
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Shea Roberts
Shea Roberts is an attorney and small business owner, focused primarily on land use and family law with two decades of experience serving Sandy Springs. |
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State House District 53
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Sheila Jones (incumbent)
Sheila Jones has served her district in the Georgia House of Representatives since January 2005 and was previously a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union AFL-CIO during her time at Lockheed-Martin.
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State House District 54
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Betsy Holland (incumbent)
Betsy Holland has served one term in the Georgia House of Representatives, and has previous experience in corporate leadership at Turner Broadcasting. |
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State House District 55
| Marie Robinson Metze (incumbent) Marie Metze has served her district since 2015. |
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State House District 56
| Mesha Mainor Mesha Mainor is a licensed physical therapist who also worked with Congress and the Assistant Surgeon General in on Capitol Hill.meshamainor.com |
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State Senate District 57
| Stacey Evans An attorney, Stacey Evans previously served four terms as a Georgia State Representative from 2011-2017.staceyevans.com |
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State House District 58
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Park Cannon (incumbent)
Park Cannon was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2016, and works with The Feminist Health Center. |
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State House District 59
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David Dreyer (incumbent)
David Dreyer was elected in 2016, and has a background in law with an emphasis in constitutional law and voter protection. |
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State House District 60
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Kim Schofield (incumbent)
Kim Schofield has lived in Georgia for 20 years and was elected in 2016. |
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State House District 80
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Matthew Wilson (incumbent)
Matthew Wilson is a Georgia native, a trial lawyer, and a former middle school teacher. |
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Fulton County Commissioner – District 4
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Natalie Hall (incumbent)
On County Commission, Natalie Hall serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Fulton County Strategic Priority Area called “All People are Healthy.” |
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Fulton County Board of Education- District 3
(NON-PARTISAN)
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Gail Dean (incumbent)
Gail Dean has served on the Fulton School Board since 2001 with a focus on financial and academic accountability, transparency in governance, and allocation of SPLOST taxpayer dollars for new schools and renovations in District 3 |
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Fulton County Board of Education- District 4
(NON-PARTISAN)
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Franchesca Warren
Franchesca Warren has 18 years of experience in a variety of roles like teacher, instructional coach, literacy coordinator and more. |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”South Fulton – US Congress, State Senate, State House”]
Find your districts at: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
US House
5th District
| Nikema Williams Nikema Williams has served in the state senate since 2017 and is the current Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. nikemaforcongress.com |
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US House
13th District
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David Scott (incumbent)
David Scott has represented the 13th District since 2003, and serves on several financial committees in Congress. |
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State Senate District 35
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Donzella James (incumbent)
Donzella James has served in the state senate since 2009, and is a member of the Education and Youth, Special Judiciary and Economic Development committees.
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State Senate District 36
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Nan Orrock (incumbent)
Senator Nan Orrock was elected by Atlanta voters to the Georgia Senate in 2006, after serving 10 terms in the House of Representatives, where she was the first woman elected as House majority whip. |
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State Senate District 38
| Horacena Tate (incumbent) Horacena Tate has served in the state senate since 1999. |
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State House District 55
| Marie Robinson Metze (incumbent) Marie Metze has served her district since 2015. |
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State House District 59
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David Dreyer (incumbent)
David Dreyer was elected in 2016, and has a background in law with an emphasis in constitutional law and voter protection. |
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State House District 60
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Kim Schofield (incumbent)
Kim Schofield has lived in Georgia for 20 years and was elected in 2016. |
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State House District 61
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Roger Bruce (incumbent)
Roger Bruce took office in January 2003 and has focused on issues related to children with special needs, the aging, education, working families, economic development, voting rights, and criminal justice. |
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State House District 62
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William Boddie (incumbent)
William Boddie is an attorney who has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2017. |
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State House District 63
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Debra Bazemore (incumbent)
Debra Bazemore was elected to serve in 2016 and currently sits on the Human Relations and Aging, Intergovernmental Coordination, Natural Resources & Environment, and State Planning & Community Affairs committees. |
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State House District 64
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Derrick Jackson (incumbent)
Derrick Jackson has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2017.
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State House District 65
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Mandisha Thomas
Mandisha Thomas is a business owner and healthcare industry veteran and serves on the board of several community service organizations. |
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Fulton County Commissioner – District 6
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Joe Carn (incumbent)
Joe Carn has more than 20 years of servant leadership as a community activist, council member and vice mayor. |
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Fulton County Board of Education- District 4
(NON-PARTISAN)
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Franchesca Warren
Franchesca Warren has 18 years of experience in a variety of roles like teacher, instructional coach, literacy coordinator and more. |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Countywide Races (Sheriff, DA, etc)”]
Find your districts at: mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do
District Attorney of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit
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Fani Willis
Fani Willis has 16 years of experience serving in the District Attorney’s office, as well as several years in the private sector. |
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Clerk of Superior Court
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Cathelene “Tina” Robinson (incumbent)
Cathelene “Tina” Robinson has served as Clerk since 2016. |
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Sheriff
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Patrick “Pat” Labat
Patrick “Pat” Labat has 30 years of success in the public safety sector, and a decade of executive-level law enforcement management as Chief of the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections. |
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Tax Commissioner
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Arthur E. Ferdinand (incumbent)
Prior to taking office as tax commissioner, Arthur Ferdinand was an IBM executive with 25 years experience in advanced technology, product development, and business operations. |
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Solicitor-General of State Court of Fulton County
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Keith E. Gammage (incumbent)
Prior to serving as Solicitor-General, Keith Gammage served for several years as Chief Assistant Solicitor General. |
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[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Amendments and Referendums”]
Proposed Constitutional Amendments
- Authorizes dedication of fees and taxes to their intended purposes by general state law.
House Resolution 164
Act No 597
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to dedicate revenues derived from fees or taxes to the public purpose for which such fees or taxes were intended?”
Fulton County Democratic Party Committee recommends: Yes.
From the Democratic Party of Georgia: This question asks if you want to give the Georgia legislature authority to use tax revenue to just go to the public purpose for which the money was intended, instead of an all-purpose fund. Right now, the government can use money dedicated to one purpose, like cleaning up tire dumps and blight, and put it towards broader use. Environmental advocates support this bill because since 1990, while Georgia has raised millions of dollars to clean up specific waste, roughly 40% of those dollars have gone to other purposes. Critics of the amendment say it would remove flexibility for how the government can use money.
However, there are conditions for the amendment — dedicated funding could not exceed 1% of the total state revenues from the previous year, and in an emergency, the governor and General Assembly would have the ability to temporarily suspend dedicated funds.
2. Waives state and local sovereign immunity for violation of state laws, state and federal constitutions.
House Resolution 1023
Act No 596
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to waive sovereign immunity and allow the people of Georgia to petition the superior court for relief from governmental acts done outside the scope of lawful authority or which violate the laws of this state, the Constitution of Georgia, or the Constitution of the United States?”
FCPDC recommends: Yes.
From the DPG: This question asks whether Georgians should have the right to sue local and state governments as well as elected officials and public employees in their official capacities to challenge laws that may be unconstitutional. A 2017 ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court largely eliminated the ability of Georgians to challenge the constitutionality of laws without the government’s permission. A bill seeking to restore this ability to Georgians was vetoed by Governor Deal and Governor Kemp, who cited concerns regarding lawsuits from people in mental health facilities and lawsuits involving breach of contract against government employees and officials.
Statewide Referendum
A. Establishes a tax exemption for certain real property owned by charities.
House Bill 344
Act No 149
“Shall the Act be approved which provides an exemption from ad valorem taxes for all real property owned by a purely public charity, if such charity is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and such real property is held exclusively for the purpose of building or repairing single-family homes to be financed by such charity to individuals using loans that shall not bear interest?”
FCPDC recommends: Yes
From the DPG: This question asks if 501(c)(3) organizations should be exempt from property taxes on property that is in their inventory that is intended for building or repairing single family homes. For example, if this were to pass, Habitat for Humanity Georgia would be exempt from property tax on the vacant lots they own for future building purposes.
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