Today, October 6, 2025, marks the final opportunity for Chattooga County residents to register to vote or update their voter registration records for the upcoming November 4 Special Election. This election will ask county-wide voters to decide on two significant sales tax referendums that could reshape the local tax landscape.

The proposed referendums, if approved, would increase sales taxes within Chattooga County. Proponents of the measures argue that the new sales tax revenue would serve to ease the financial burden currently placed on property owners, potentially leading to reduced property tax rates. This shift, they contend, would broaden the tax base, distributing the cost among a wider array of consumers, including visitors to the county.

However, the proposals have drawn criticism, particularly from advocates for low-wage earners and the poor. Critics assert that sales taxes are inherently regressive, meaning they disproportionately affect individuals with lower incomes who spend a larger percentage of their earnings on taxable goods and services. They argue that such an increase could make essential purchases less affordable for the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The November 4, 2025, date is also significant for several municipalities in Chattooga County. Municipal elections will be held on the same day for the cities of Lyerly, Menlo, Summerville, and Trion. While these municipal elections are conducted by their respective cities and address local leadership or specific city-level issues, they share today’s voter registration deadline with the county-wide Special Election.

For those wishing to participate in the November 4 elections, ensuring voter registration is current by the end of today, October 6, 2025, is paramount. Residents can register online via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website or by visiting the Chattooga County Elections and Registration Office.

Beyond the registration deadline, voters should be aware of several key dates for the upcoming elections:

• Absentee by Mail Applications: The deadline to submit an application for an absentee ballot by mail is October 24, 2025.
• Absentee Ballot Return: Completed absentee ballots must be returned by November 4, 2025, at 5 PM to be counted.
• Advance Voting (Early Voting): Early in-person voting will be available from October 14 through October 31, 2025.
• Saturday Voting: Special Saturday voting opportunities are scheduled for October 18 and October 25.

With the potential for significant financial implications for all residents, election officials and community leaders are urging all eligible Chattooga County voters to register by today’s deadline and make their voices heard on these critical issues affecting the future of the county.