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11Alive city, county elections guide | Georgia votes Tuesday, Nov. 7

Election Day 2023 is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

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Published: 3:11 PM EDT November 3, 2023
Updated: 2:59 PM EST November 8, 2023

ATLANTA

They may not have the sizzle of a presidential election (next year) or a race for governor (last year), but Georgia voters will vote on positions next week that probably have a more closely-felt impact than any of the big-ticket elections - their local governments.

Election Day 2023 is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and cities and counties around Georgia will have important positions such as mayor, city council and school board on the ballot.

RELATED: Countdown to 2024 | Fulton County unveils new election hub

These local races typically see far lower turnout than the better-publicized state and national elections - making your vote all the more important. 

Below, we'll go county-by-county through the five core metro counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton) as well as seven further suburban counties (Cherokee, Forsyth, Rockdale, Henry, Fayette, Douglas, Paulding) to guide you through the candidates and issues appearing on metro Atlanta ballots. Use the chapter guide above to jump directly to your county.

Fulton County

What's on the ballot

  • Atlanta: Five board of education seats (overseeing Atlanta Public Schools)
  • Chattahoochee Hills: Three city council seats
  • College Park: Mayor, two city council seats and a homestead exemption referendum
  • East Point: Four city council seats
  • Fairburn: Three city council seats
  • Hapeville: Mayor and one alderman post
  • Johns Creek: Three city council seats
  • Mountain Park: Mayor, one city council seat, one special election for a 2-year council term and one volunteer fire & rescue department referendum
  • Roswell: One municipal judge, three city council seats and one special election for a 2-year council term
  • South Fulton: Four city council seats
  • Union City: One city council seat

Who's on the ballot

Atlanta

Board of Education District 1

  • Katie P. Howard (unopposed): Howard is a former senior aide and policy advisor for the Atlanta City Council who was first elected in 2021 with a history in local public policy. She is an APS product who graduated from Midtown High (then Grady High) in 1996.

Board of Education District 3

  • Michelle Olympiadis (incumbent): Olympiadis was first elected in 2017. She has been an executive for organizations and companies including Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Coca-Cola and has an extensive history volunteering in education.
  • Ken Zeff: He has founded an education nonprofit, Learn4Life and is the former interim superintendent of Fulton County Schools with a history in education administration  and policy, including as a White House fellow during the George W. Bush administration.

Board of Education District 5

  • Erika Yvette Mitchell (incumbent): First elected in 2017, Mitchell is an executive with an agency that services professional athletes on several fronts and founded the organization Atlanta Women in Sports. She is also part of several civic and educational advocacy groups.
  • Raynard Johnson: An APS graduate of Southwest Atlanta High, Johnson has ran against Mitchell twice previously. He is a information technology professional who has worked specifically in the software development field.

Board of Education At-Large District 7

  • Tamara Jones (incumbent): Jones was first elected in 2021 and has worked in architecture and urban planning around metro Atlanta, having gotten a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Tech. She has a history of parent advocacy roles within APS.
  • Alfred "Shivy" Brooks: His campaign says he would be the first active teacher to serve on the board of education. Brooks currently is a high school economics, personal finance and government teacher outside the APS district in Clayton County.
  • William Sardin: He is a registered nurse with experience in both clinical and administrative settings who graduated from Emory University and has three children attending high schools within APS.

Board of Education At-Large District 9

  • Jessica Johnson (incumbent): Johnson was appointed to the board earlier this year when the seat held by Jason Esteves was vacated as he began serving in the Georgia Senate. She is an education nonprofit executive with The Scholarship Academy and has held advisory and advocacy roles for several Atlanta and Fulton County youth/education initiatives.
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis: Lewis is an attorney who also has a history as an educator, having been an elementary school teacher and instructional coach. She has founded a consultancy, Iban Isọñ Solutions LLC, and been involved in several roles in the legal and education policy fields.

Chattahoochee Hills

City Council District 1

City Council District 3

City Council District 5

  • Troy Bettis (incumbent)
  • Rodney Peek

College Park

Mayor

  • Bianca Motley Broom (incumbent): Broom began serving as mayor in 2020, becoming both the city's first Black mayor and its first female mayor. She touts her record in areas such as community investment and housing. 
  • Spiceda Jackson: A financial professional and entrepreneur, she is campaigning on a platform of growth, innovation and economic development.
  • Pamela Stoner-Gay: Her campaign says she will bring "motherly values" to city leadership and is involved in raising her family and child advocacy.
  • Demetris Taylor: He is a radio/podcast host of "Dishing Tea with Big Meach" and has been an official with the community organization College Park Citizens Association.
  • James Walker: His campaign says he has been a commercial and residential real estate attorney, served as a magistrate judge in Fulton County and has worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has a platform centered on public safety and economic development.

Councilmember Ward 1

Councilmember Ward 3

Homestead exemption ballot referendum

  • Language: “Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of College Park ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the full amount of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are disabled or who are 65 years of age or older and whose income, together with the income of the spouse who also occupies and resides at such homestead, does not exceed the maximum amount which may be received by an individual and an individual’s spouse at full retirement age under the federal Social Security Act for the immediately preceding year?”

East Point

Councilmember Ward A

Councilmember Ward B

Councilmember Ward C

Councilmember Ward D

Fairburn

Voters select three of the following for three City Council seats in an open vote

Hapeville

Mayor

  • Alan Hallman (incumbent): Hallman has been mayor since 2004 and is the owner of a security systems company. He stakes part of his record on "leveraging public/private partnerships to encourage growth and development in Hapeville."
  • Donald Esti: He is an entrepreneur in the fashion and design field, founding BroTagz Sewing and Embroidery Studio who studies public policy at Georgia State University.

Alderman

Johns Creek

City Council Post 2

City Council Post 4

City Council Post 6

Mountain Park

Mayor

  • Lloyd Hendricks
  • Bill Kolbrener

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

  • Carol Fulghum Silver (incumbent)
  • Jame Jones
  • Ike Powell
  • Wanda L. Taylor

City Council, special election 2-year term

  • Linda Dorough Dixon
  • Mark C. Murphy

Volunteer Fire & Rescue referendum

  • Question: "Should the City of Mountain Park continue to sponsor and provide funding to Mountain Park Volunteer Fire & Rescue (MPVFR)?"

Roswell

Municipal Judge

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

City Council, Post 3

City Council, Post 4 special election, 2-year term

South Fulton

City Council, District 1

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 5

City Council, District 7

Union City

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

DeKalb County

What's on the ballot

  • Atlanta: Four board of education seats (overseeing Atlanta Public Schools)
  • Avondale Estates: Mayor, two city commissioners
  • Brookhaven: Mayor, two city council seats, one city council special election, homestead exemption item
  • Chamblee: Three city council seats
  • Clarkston: Three city council seats
  • Decatur: Three commissioner posts, two board of education seats (overseeing Decatur City Schools), five homestead exemption items
  • Doraville: Mayor, three city council seats, bond referendum
  • Dunwoody: Mayor, three city council seats, bond referendum
  • Lithonia: Mayor, one city council seat
  • Pine Lake: Mayor, one city council seat
  • Stone Mountain: Three city council seats
  • Stonecrest: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Tucker: Three city council seats
  • Countywide: Homestead option sales tax question, special purpose local option sales tax question, three homestead exemption referendum items

Who's on the ballot

Atlanta

Board of Education District 1

  • Katie P. Howard (unopposed): Howard is a former senior aide and policy advisor for the Atlanta City Council who was first elected in 2021 with a history in local public policy. She is an APS product who graduated from Midtown High (then Grady High) in 1996.

Board of Education District 3

  • Michelle Olympiadis (incumbent): Olympiadis was first elected in 2017. She has been an executive for organizations and companies including Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Coca-Cola and has an extensive history volunteering in education.
  • Ken Zeff: He has founded an education nonprofit, Learn4Life and is the former interim superintendent of Fulton County Schools with a history in education administration  and policy, including as a White House fellow during the George W. Bush administration.

Board of Education At-Large District 7

  • Tamara Jones (incumbent): Jones was first elected in 2021 and has worked in architecture and urban planning around metro Atlanta, having gotten a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Tech. She has a history of parent advocacy roles within APS.
  • Alfred "Shivy" Brooks: His campaign says he would be the first active teacher to serve on the board of education. Brooks currently is a high school economics, personal finance and government teacher outside the APS district in Clayton County.
  • William Sardin: He is a registered nurse with experience in both clinical and administrative settings who graduated from Emory University and has three children attending high schools within APS.

Board of Education At-Large District 9

  • Jessica Johnson (incumbent): Johnson was appointed to the board earlier this year when the seat held by Jason Esteves was vacated as he began serving in the Georgia Senate. She is an education nonprofit executive with The Scholarship Academy and has held advisory and advocacy roles for several Atlanta and Fulton County youth/education initiatives.
  • Nkoyo Effiong Lewis: Lewis is an attorney who also has a history as an educator, having been an elementary school teacher and instructional coach. She has founded a consultancy, Iban Isọñ Solutions LLC, and been involved in several roles in the legal and education policy fields.

Avondale Estates

Mayor

  • Jonathan Elmore (incumbent, unopposed): An architect and Georgia Tech graduate, Elmore has been mayor of Avondale Estates since 2015.

City Commissioner

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

  • Graham Reiney
  • Michael Smith

Brookhaven

Mayor

  • Mark Douglas Frost: A longtime auto sales professional and executive, his campaign is based around correcting what he calls wasteful spending and improving ease-of-business.
  • Lauren Kiefer: An attorney and entrepreneur who has been involved in leadership of several civic groups, she lists policy priorities including safer streets and sidewalks, fiscal accountability and sustainable growth.
  • Hilerie Lind: Lind is an accountant and financial professional who has also worked in public governance, including in the public health field. Her campaign emphasizes issues such as transparency and affordable housing.
  • H.J. "John" Park: Park is a longtime city councilmember in Brookhaven who highlights his record of the city maintaining low taxes and improving parks and greenspace while he's been in office.

City Council, District 2, special election to fill Park's seat

Floating homestead exemption referendum

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which modifies the City of Brookhaven floating homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation to ensure the long-term fiscal health of the city?

Chamblee

City Council, District 2

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 4

Clarkston

Voters select three of the following for three City Council seats in an open vote

Decatur

City Commissioner at large

City Commissioner District 1, Post B

City Commissioner District 2, Post B

Board of Education District 1, Post B

Board of Education District 2, Post B

General homestead exemption question

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $40,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the City of Decatur?

Homestead exemption for residents 65 and older question

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $15,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 65 years of age or older?

New homestead exemption question

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a new homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $40,000.00 for each resident of the City of Decatur who holds real property subject to a written lease having an initial term of not less than 99 years with a landlord that is an entity exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and who owns all improvements located on the real property, subject to sale restrictions intended to preserve the affordability of the residence?

Homestead exemption for residents 62 and older question

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $25,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are 62 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $60,000.00?

Decatur City Schools homestead exemption question

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for a period of five years in the amount of $200,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are between 65 and 69 years of age and whose federal adjusted gross income, as well as the federal adjusted gross income of the spouse of such resident and all other members of the family who also reside at such homestead, does not exceed $62,000.00 and which provides a homestead exemption from City of Decatur independent school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes for a period of five years in the amount of $200,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 70 years of age or older regardless of income?

Doraville

Mayor

  • Joseph Geierman (incumbent): Geierman was previously on the city council and has championed his record on development and professionalizing city staff. He was first elected in 2019, becoming the city's first openly LGBT mayor.
  • Tom Hart: He also ran in the 2019 election and gained 10% of the vote , missing the runoff between Geierman and former mayor Donna Pittman. He is also a former councilman who has previously campaigned on smaller government themes.

City Council District 1, Post 2

City Council District 1, Post 3

City Council District 2, Post 2

Bond referendum

  • Language: "Shall the City of Doraville, Georgia (“City") issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Ten Million and 00/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00) ("Bonds") for the purpose of financing: (a) the acquisition, construction, installation, improvement, and equipping of City facilities including library, arts, co-working and civic space in support and part of the Doraville City Center Redevelopment; (b) the costs of issuing the Bonds; and (c) capitalized interest on the Bonds?"

Dunwoody

Mayor

  • Lynn Deutsch (incumbent, unopposed): Mayor Deutsch was first elected in 2019 and is set for another term in an unopposed race. Before being mayor, she was on the city council from 2011-2019. Her campaign site highlights her work to support the police department and first responder agencies, improve traffic and city parks/rec/arts spaces and redevelop Dunwoody Village.

City Council, District 1, Post 4 at large

City Council District 2, Post 5 at large

City Council, District 3 Post 6 at large

General obligation bond referendum

  • Language: Shall the City of Dunwoody, Georgia (the "City") issue general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000 for the purpose of financing (a) the acquisition, construction, installation, improvement and equipping of (i) parks and recreational areas, (ii) greenspace and (iii) trails, (b) the costs of issuing the bonds and (c) capitalized interest on the bonds? Such approval shall also constitute an approval of the increase in the City's current millage cap of 3.04 only to the extent necessary to repay the bonds.

Lithonia

Mayor

  • Shameka S. Reynolds (incumbent, unopposed): Mayor Reynolds was first elected in 2019 and is due to serve for another term in an unopposed race. She touts her record of community building, environmental beautification, encouraging entrepreneurship, government transparency and is seeking to grow Lithonia through annexation and expansion.

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

Pine Lake

Mayor

  • Brandy M. Hall
  • Moira Nelligan

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

  • Nivea Castro (incumbent)
  • Jeff Goldberg
  • Thomas Torrent

Stone Mountain

City Council Post 1

City Council Post 2

City Council Post 3

Stonecrest

Mayor

  • Jazzmin Cobble (incumbent): Cobble ascended to office as Stonecrest's second mayor from the city council in a 2021 special election that filled the seat of the city's founding mayor Jason Lary (who'd been convicted in a COVID relief funds fraud case). She has a history working in state government and on Stonecrest's council, and highlights her priorities of strengthening the city budget, good governance and reform and community confidence-building.
  • Diane Adoma: She is a business owner and corporate consultant who emphasizes her history working with small businesses, a volunteer record with numerous community and advocacy groups and wants to promote transparency, accountability and business development among other platforms.
  • Kirby Frazier Jr.: Frazier is a veteran and organizer whose campaign themes include restoring trust in the city government, being a champion for other veterans, economic development and fair and affordable housing. 
  • Dele Lowman: Lowman has worked in county government and in civic advocacy who says she will prioritize ethical and transparent governance, stabilize city finances and enhance areas such as community development, equitable housing and youth opportunity.
  • Bernard Smith Jr.: Smith has a background in marketing and emphasizes his faith on his campaign site, with policy priorities centered around improving education, reducing gun violence and instituting a liquor tax to fund drug and alcohol recovery and rehabilitation programs.

City Council District Post 2

City Council District Post 4

Tucker

City Council District 1, Post 2

City Council District 2, Post 2

City Council District 3, Post 2

  • Simone Pacely
  • Amy O. Trocchi

Countywide

DeKalb's ballot notes that unless both of the following are approved, then neither will become effective

Suspension of Homestead Option Sales Tax and Approval of Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax

  • Language: Shall an equalized homestead option sales and use tax be levied and the regular homestead option sales and use tax be suspended within the special district within DeKalb County for the purposes of reducing the ad valorem property tax millage rates levied by the County and municipal governments on homestead properties?

Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax

  • Language: Shall a special 1 percent sales and use tax be imposed in the special district of DeKalb County for a period of time not to exceed 6 years and for the raising of an estimated amount of $850 million (see sample ballot for full use purposes of the $850 million).

Homestead exemption for residents 65 and older or who are disabled

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which increases the income cap to $37,500.00 on the $14,000.00 homestead exemption provided to certain residents of DeKalb County who are 65 years of age or over or who are disabled?

School District homestead exemption for residents 62 and older or who are disabled

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which increases the income cap to $40,000.00 on the homestead exemption from DeKalb County school district ad valorem taxes for educational purposes in the amount of $20,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that school district who are 62 years of age or older or who are disabled?"

School District homestead exemption for residents 65 and older or who are disabled

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which increases the income cap to $37,500.00 on the $14,000.00 homestead exemption provided to certain residents of the DeKalb County School District who are 65 years of age or over or who are disabled?

Gwinnett County

What's on the ballot

  • Auburn: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Berkeley Lake: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Braselton: Two city council seats
  • Buford: Commission chair, two board of education seats
  • Dacula: Two city council seats
  • Duluth: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Grayson: Two city council seats
  • Lawrenceville: Mayor, two city council seats (note: these races are all unopposed, and as such Lawrenceville is not having municipal elections)
  • Lilburn: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Loganville: Three city council seats
  • Norcross: Three city council seats
  • Peachtree Corners: Mayor, three city council seats
  • Snellville: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Sugar Hill: Three city council seats, three homestead exemption questions
  • Suwanee: Mayor, two city council seats

Who's on the ballot

Auburn

Mayor

  • Peggy Langley: Langley is a current city council member in the race to succeed outgoing mayor Linda Blechinger. She stresses her knowledge of the inner workings of city government, including budgeting and public works management.
  • Rick Roquemore: He is a retired retail manager, according to his public LinkedIn, who has cited that experience in dealing with budgets and personnel as strengths in his favor.

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

  • Jamie L. Bradley (incumbent)
  • Timothy "Bo" Bland
  • Jeremiah Outwater
  • Josh Rowan
  • Leandro A. Silva

Berkeley Lake

Mayor

City Council

Voters select two of the following for two City Council seats in an open vote

Braselton

City Council, District 1

City Council, District 3

Buford

Commission Chair

Board of Education

Board of Education

Dacula

City Council

City Council

Duluth

Mayor

Editor's note: This section has been updated to clarify previous reporting that incorrectly stated that Whitlock was the incumbent in the mayoral race. 

  • Greg Whitlock (unopposed):  Whitlock, who has served on the council, announced he was running for the position after longtime Mayor Nancy Harris said she would retire from city government at the end of her term. 

City Council, Post 4

City Council, Post 5

Grayson

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 3

Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville notes no election is occurring for their city races this year because all candidates are unopposed

Mayor

  • David Still (incumbent, unopposed): Mayor Still was elected unopposed in 2019 and served on the city council prior to that. He has also worked for the city's Downtown Development Authority and Tourist and Trade Association. He also owns a mergers and acquisitions firm based in town.

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

Lilburn

Mayor

  • Timothy W. Dunn (incumbent): Dunn was a city councilmember from 2007-2020 before his election as mayor, and prior to serving in public office was a Delta Air Lines information technologies professional for three decades and then a church administrator for 15 years.
  • Johnny D. Crist: Crist was previously Lilburn's mayor before leaving the position to run for a Georgia House of Representatives seat. He touts his previous time running the city, highlighting economic growth and reducing crime as well as several redevelopment efforts, including with the new Lilburn City Hall-Library building.
  • Mohammed Jahangir Hossain: Hossain is an entrepreneur and businessman who has previously run for offices including Gwinnett County Commission and Georgia Senate.

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

Loganville

City Council

Voters select three of the following for three City Council seats in an open vote

Norcross

City Council

City Council

City Council

Peachtree Corners

Mayor

  • Mike Mason (incumbent, unopposed): Mason was elected the new city's first mayor in 2012, and prior to that was involved in several community organizations, including the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association. He has a professional history in finance, as well, and owns an advisory firm.

City Council, Post 1

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 5

Snellville

Mayor

  • Barbara Bender (incumbent, unopposed): Bender was appointed mayor in 2019 after the resignation of former Mayor Tom Witts, then won reelection unopposed. She will win another term this year as she runs again unopposed. She is a certified public accountant and owns her own firm and was on the city council prior to ascending to the mayoral office.

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

Sugar Hill

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

City Council, Post 3

Homestead exemption question for residents 65 and older

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which increases the homestead exemption from City of Sugar Hill ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes to the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the City of Sugar Hill who are 65 years of age or older, excluding land in excess of one acre?

Homestead exemption question for ad valorem tax

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which increases the homestead exemption from City of Sugar Hill ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes to the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the City of Sugar Hill, excluding land in excess of one acre?

Homestead exemption question for residents 62 and older

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved to provide a homestead exemption from City of Sugar Hill ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the amount of $10,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of the City whose income does not exceed $10,000.00 per annum and who are disabled or who are 62 years of age or older, excluding land in excess of one acre?

Suwanee

Mayor

  • James M. Burnett Jr. (incumbent, unopposed): Burnett, who goes by Jimmy, has been mayor since 2011 and was a longtime city councilmember before that. He has been credited for championing city arts, parks and development projects and in 2021 was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame.

City Council, Post 1

City Council, Post 2

Cobb County

What's on the ballot

  • Acworth: Three alderman posts
  • Austell: Mayor, three city council seats
  • Kennesaw: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Powder Springs: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Smyrna: Mayor, seven city council seats

Who's on the ballot

Acworth

Alderman, Post 1

Alderman, Post 2

Alderman, Post 3

Austell

Mayor

  • Ollie B. Clemons Jr. (incumbent): Clemons became mayor in 2019 when Joe Jerkins - who'd been mayor for three decades - resigned from the position over health issues. Clemons then won reelection later that year. He is a retired U.S. Postal Service executive who has a long history in Austell city government and is described as a "strong advocate for hard work and community service."
  • Chris Djonis: He is an organizer and advocate who got a little more than 19% of the vote in the 2019 election. Djonis has campaigned on ushering in a public financial audit and reorienting growth around residential and commercial, instead of industrial, investment.

City Council, Post 2 at large

City Council, Ward 2

City Council, Ward 4

Kennesaw

Mayor

  • Derek Easterling (incumbent, unopposed): Easterling is a Navy veteran, former Cobb County Sheriff's Office deputy and security professional who was first elected in 2015. He has touted his oversight of "efficient and orderly administration of city affairs."

City Council, Post 1 at large

City Council, Post 2 at large

Powder Springs

Mayor

  • Al Thurman (incumbent): Thurman was elected in 2015 as the first Black mayor in all of Cobb County, following on more than a decade in city council and an earlier entrepreneurial career. He is campaigning on his record of promoting development based around what he terms quality growth - updating building codes, streamlining permitting processes and replacing restrictive zoning regulations.
  • Larry W. Thomas: Thomas is an Army veteran whose campaign emphasizes saving taxpayer money, preventing fraud and budgeting responsibly. Thomas is also campaign on citizen responsiveness and  empowering youth.

City Council, Post 1 at large

City Council, Post 2 at large 

Smyrna

Mayor

  • Derek Norton (incumbent): He was first elected in 2019, after he'd previously been on the city council and working in politics as an aide to Sen. Johnny Isakson. He promotes campaign themes centered around family values and community involvement.
  • Alex Backry: He has ran for mayor on several previous occasions, generally on anti-waste and spending themes.
  • Ken Hymes: A longtime information technology professional and current Warner Bros. Discovery product management director, Hymes is promoting conservative fiscal management, transparency and what he calls a servant-leader approach to governing.

City Council, Ward 1

City Council, Ward 2

City Council, Ward 3

City Council, Ward 4

City Council, Ward 5

City Council, Ward 6

City Council, Ward 7

Clayton County

What's on the ballot

  • College Park: Mayor, one city council seat
  • Morrow: Mayor, two city council seats, homestead exemption referendum
  • Countywide: Four freeport tax exemption questions

Who's on the ballot

College Park

Mayor

  • Bianca Motley Broom (incumbent): Broom began serving as mayor in 2020, becoming both the city's first Black mayor and its first female mayor. She touts her record in areas such as community investment and housing. 
  • Spiceda Jackson: A financial professional and entrepreneur, she is campaigning on a platform of growth, innovation and economic development.
  • Pamela Stoner-Gay: Her campaign says she will bring "motherly values" to city leadership and is involved in raising her family and child advocacy.
  • Demetris Taylor: He is a radio/podcast host of "Dishing Tea with Big Meach" and has been an official with the community organization College Park Citizens Association.
  • James Walker: His campaign says he has been a commercial and residential real estate attorney, served as a magistrate judge in Fulton County and has worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He has a platform centered on public safety and economic development.

Councilmember Ward 3

Homestead exemption referendum

  • Language: Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from City of College Park ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes for the full amount of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that city who are disabled or who are 65 years of age or older and whose income, together with the income of the spouse who also occupies and resides at such homestead, does not exceed the maximum amount of which may be received by an individual and an individual's spouse at full retirement age under the federal Social Security Act for the immediately preceding year?

Morrow

Mayor

  • John Lampl (incumbent): Lampl, a former councilmember and city manager, was elected in 2019. He has formerly been a real estate services professional and has promoted his focus on business development.
  • Van Tran: She is a city councilwoman and City of Atlanta financial analyst, according to her public LinkedIn, who made national news this year for her ultimately successful push for multilingual ballots in the city that had been opposed as "un-American" by another councilmember. 

City Council, Post 2

City Council, Post 4

Countywide

Freeport tax exemption 1

  • Language: Shall the County set the Level 1 Freeport Exemption as defined in O.C.G.A § 48-5-48.2 at eighty percent (80%) of the ad valorem taxation value of tangible personal property for inventory of goods in the process of manufacture or production which shall include all partly finished goods and raw materials held by the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s affiliate, or the taxpayer’s designated agent for direct use or consumption in the ordinary course of the taxpayer’s manufacturing or production business in this state?

Freeport tax exemption 2

  • Language: Shall the County set the Level 1 Freeport Exemption as defined in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48.2 at eighty percent (80%) of the ad valorem taxation value of tangible personal property for inventory of finished goods manufactured or produced within this state in the ordinary course of the taxpayer’s manufacturing or production business when held by the original manufacturer or producer of such finished goods?

Freeport tax exemption 3

  • Language: Shall the County set the Level 1 Freeport Exemption as defined in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48.2 at eighty percent (80%) of the ad valorem taxation value of tangible personal property for inventory of finished goods which, on January 1, are stored in a warehouse, dock, or wharf, whether public or private, and which are destined for shipment to a final destination outside this state and inventory of finished goods which are shipped into this state from outside this state and stored for transshipment to a final destination outside this state, including foreign merchandise in transit?

Freeport tax exemption 4

  • Language: Shall the County set the Level 1 Freeport Exemption as defined in O.C.G.A. § 48-5-48.2 at eighty percent (80%) of the ad valorem taxation value of tangible personal property for stock in trade of a fulfillment center which, on January 1, is stored in a fulfillment center and which is made available to remote purchasers who may make such purchases by electronic, internet, telephonic, or other remote means, and where such stock in trade of a fulfillment center will be shipped from the fulfillment center and delivered to the purchaser at a location other than the location of the fulfillment center?

Cherokee County

What's on the ballot

  • Canton: Mayor, three city council seats, one city council special election
  • Waleska: Mayor, three city council seats, two city council special elections, Sunday alcohol consumption referendum, Sunday package sale referendum
  • Woodstock: Three city council seats, trails and parks general obligation bond question

Who's on the ballot

Canton

Mayor

  • Bill Grant (incumbent): Grant was previously a city council member from 2014 to 2020 and served as Mayor Pro Tem for the first six years. Grant has championed his campaign on adaptive reuse projects and Canton having the lowest taxes of any Cherokee County city.
  • Andy Tubbs: The Canton mayoral hopeful is running on the campaign of developing a plan for strategic growth in the city and improving the quality of life for residents there.

City Council Ward 1

City Council Ward 2

City Council Ward 3

City Council Ward 2 - Special Election

Waleska

Mayor

  • Mary Helen Lamb (incumbent, unopposed): She first became mayor in 2019 after the previous mayor's resignation and then was reelected to the job.

City Council

  • Eddie Blackwell (unopposed)

City Council

  • Peter Brown (unopposed)

City Council

  • Dennis Cochran (incumbent, unopposed)

City Council Special Election

  • Michael Greene (unopposed)

City Council Special Election

  • Logan Patrick (unopposed)

Sunday Consumption on Premises Referendum

  • Language: Shall the governing authority of the City of Waleska be authorized to permit and regulate the sales of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits for consumption on the premises on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the appropriately licensed establishments?

Sunday Package Sale Referendum

  • Language: Shall the governing authority of the City of Waleska be authorized to permit and regulate package sale by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits on Sunday between the hours 12:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.?

Woodstock

City Council Ward 2

  • David Potts (incumbent, unopposed)

City Council Ward 4

  • Tracy Collins (incumbent, unopposed)

City Council Ward 6

  • Rob Usher (incumbent, unopposed)

General Obligation Bonds for Trails and Parks Referendum

  • Language: Shall general obligation public improvement bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $24,000,000 be issued by the City of Woodstock for the purpose of paying the costs of the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair, improvement, critical capital maintenance and equipping of certain municipal recreational facility improvements and related infrastructure, including (1) the Little River Park connector, Rubes Creek south connector, Rubes Creek west connector, water trail, Neese and Arnold Mill Road connections, and Buckhead Crossing boardwalk, (2) the Little River Park and related public improvements, including, but not limited to, playgrounds, trails, paths, bicycle lanes, and safety lighting, (3) the cost of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for such facilities and improvements; and (4) to pay expenses incident to the issuance of such bonds?

Forsyth County

What's on the ballot

  • Cumming: Three city council seats

Who's on the ballot

Cumming

City Council, Post 3

City Council, Post 4

City Council, Post 5

Rockdale County

What's on the ballot

  • Conyers: Three city council seats

Who's on the ballot

Conyers

City Council, District 2 Post 2

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 4

Henry County

What's on the ballot

  • Stockbridge: Three city council seats
  • McDonough: Three city council seats
  • Hampton: Three city council seats
  • Locust Grove: Mayor, three city council seats (all of these races are unopposed, and as such Locust Grove is not holding elections)
  • Countywide: One commissioner special election

Who's on the ballot

Stockbridge 

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 4

City Council, District 5

McDonough 

City Council, at large post

City Council, District 3

City Council, District 4

Hampton

City Council

Voters select three of the following for three City Council seats in an open vote

Locust Grove

Mayor

  • Robert Price (incumbent, unopposed): Price has been mayor since 2016 and prior to that served as a city councilman.

City Council

City Council

City Council

Countywide

District 2 Special Election

Fayette County

What's on the ballot

  • Peachtree City: Two city council seats
  • Brooks: Three city council seats
  • Tyrone: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Fayetteville: Mayor, two city council seats


Who's on the ballot

Peachtree City

City Council Post 1

City Council Post 2

Brooks

Councilmember Post 3

Councilmember Post 4

Councilmember Post 5

  • Todd Speer (incumbent)
  • Donald Britt
  • Aaron Edge
  • David Harris

Tyrone

Mayor

  • Eric Dial (incumbent, unopposed): Serving the people of Tyrone as a mayor since 2011, Dial wants to continue his service. According to his bio, he has served on several boards in the community. He also worked under U.S. Rep. Mac Collins for three years on Capitol Hill.

Town Council Post 1

  • Wil James
  • Jessica Whelan

Town Council Post 2

Fayetteville

Mayor

  • Edward Johnson (incumbent, unopposed): Elected in 2016, Johnson is no stranger to the city. He first served on the city council in 2012. In his bio for mayor, he said he is encouraged by the city’s growing sense of community and growth.

Councilmember Post 1

Councilmember Post 2

Douglas County

What's on the ballot

  • Villa Rica: Mayor, one city council seat, one city council special election

Who's on the ballot

Villa Rica

Mayor

  • Gil McDougal (incumbent): McDougal was elected mayor in 2019 and frames his tenure so far as one marked by  "informed leadership, reliable infrastructure, responsible growth, economic development, revitalizing our downtown." He has also previously worked in real estate.
  • Kendrick Davis: A firefighter/EMT who says he will be a responsive leader that will "place a voice of the people back in City Hall."
  • Leslie McPherson: She has previously served on city council and was mayor pro-tem for 2017, she emphasizes her faith and pledges to be a servant leader who stay away from "silly politics" and "backroom deals" while lowering property taxes.
  • Mac Pilgrim: Pilgrim is an attorney who has emphasized managing the city's growth without losing the city's character and improving infrastructure such as streets and traffic control.

City Council, Ward 1

City Council, Ward 3 special election

Paulding County

What's on the ballot

  • Dallas: Mayor, three city council seats
  • Hiram: Mayor, two city council seats
  • Countywide: Renewal of school district special local option sales tax

Who's on the ballot

Dallas

Mayor

  • L. James Kelly (incumbent, unopposed): He was first elected in 2019 who ran as a conservative prioritizing work ethic and family values.

City Council, at large seat

City Council, Ward 2

City Council, Ward 4

Hiram

Mayor

  • Frank Moran (incumbent): Moran was elected in 2019 who was previously on city council and prior to that had a career in law enforcement training and emergency planning.
  • Dawn R. Veasley: Veasley is a progressive advocate whose campaign emphasizes economic development and job growth, community inclusivity and support for community policing and first responder services, among other themes.
  • Timothy Weaver

City Council, Post 1

  • Bob Tressel (unopposed)

City Council, Post 2

Countywide

Renewal of school district special local option sales tax referendum

  • Language: Shall $100,000,000 in maximum aggregate principal amount of Paulding County School District General Obligation Bonds (the "Bonds") be issued for the purposes of providing funds for (i) the acquisition, construction and equipping of facilities and equipment throughout the School District, including new school facility construction, strategic additions, improvements, renovations, and/or modifications to existing schools, safety & security enhancements, technology, athletic and physical education facilities, and fine arts initiatives (the "Projects"); (ii) paying capitalized interest on the Bonds; and (iii) paying the costs of issuing the Bonds; and shall a special one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes be continued in Paulding County for a period of time not to exceed 20 calendar quarters and for the raising of not more than $197,500,000 for the purpose of (i) paying the principal and interest (during the period the one percent sales and use tax is to be imposed) on Paulding County School District's outstanding Taxable General Obligation Refunding Bond, Series 2022 in a maximum amount of $39,733,052, and (ii) providing funds to finance the Projects directly or through the payment of a portion of the principal of and interest on the Bonds?

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