Register Now To Vote This November
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
As Dade voters head to the polls this fall, there are three contested races (in addition to the presidential race) and three Georgia ballot measures that they should be aware of. The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 7 (this coming Monday). You can easily check your voter registration status through the state’s My Voter Page: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/.
Early voting begins Oct. 14 and ends Nov. 1. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 25. Remember that early voting takes place at the Trenton precinct while voting on election day takes place at your individual precinct (which can be found on the county’s website: dadecounty-ga.gov/325/CURRENT-UPCOMING-ELECTION-INFORMATION).
Since all of the local races were decided in the primary, Dade voters can focus on the presidential, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate, and State House of Representatives races. No one announced write-in candidacy for any of these races.
Shawn “General” Harris is running against Marjorie Taylor Greene (incumbent) for the U.S. House of Representatives Georgia District 14 seat.
Bart Alexander Bryant is running against Colton Moore (incumbent) for the State Senate District 53 seat.
John B. Zibluk is running against Mike Cameron (incumbent) for the State House of Representatives District 1 seat.
The three ballot measures in Georgia are two LRCAs (legislatively referred constitutional amendments) and one LRSS (legislatively referred state statute).
Referendum A “Personal Property Tax Exemption Increase Measure” would increase the personal property tax exemption from $7,500 to $20,000. This exemption jumped from $500 to the current $7,500 in 2002 through Referendum E.
Amendment 1 “Local Option Homestead Property Tax Exemption Amendment” would implement a statewide local-option homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes, but consolidated governments, counties, municipalities, and school systems could opt out of the exemption.
Paula Duvall (Board of Assessors chief appraiser) told the Sentinel that if this amendment passes, Dade County will have both the existing local exemption and this new statewide exemption but only one will be applied to each property. Whichever provides the most benefit for the taxpayer would automatically apply. Duvall added, “We still have a lot of questions about it.”
Amendment 2 “Creation of Tax Court Amendment” would establish the Georgia Tax Court with judges (four-year terms) appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Committee on Judiciary.
As always, the elections office is looking for poll workers with no deadline to sign up. Email info@dadecounty-ga.gov or call 706-657-8170 for more information.
