What Chattooga County Voters Will See On The November Ballot

Chattooga County voters will have a lengthy ballot when they head to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, with races ranging from the U.S. Senate and governor to the Georgia General Assembly, along with several state and local ballot questions.

Georgia’s sample ballots became available September 19, giving voters an opportunity to review the races and questions before early voting begins. Georgia law requires sample ballots to be posted at least 45 days before Election Day, and voters can view the ballot specific to their precinct through the Georgia My Voter Page.

Federal Races

At the top of the ballot is Georgia’s race for the United States Senate. Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff is seeking another term and faces Republican Mike Collins in the general election.

Chattooga County is in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, where Democratic nominee Shawn Harris faces Republican incumbent Clay Fuller for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Statewide Offices

Georgia voters will also elect a number of statewide constitutional officers.

The race for Governor features Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson. The seat is open because Gov. Brian Kemp is completing his second term and cannot seek a third consecutive term.

Other statewide contests include:

Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Josh McLaurin and Republican Greg Dolezal
Secretary of State: Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds and Republican Tim Fleming
Attorney General: Democrat Tanya Miller and Republican Brian Strickland
Agriculture Commissioner: Democrat Katherine Juhan-Arnold and Republican incumbent Tyler Harper
Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner: Democrat Keisha Waites and Republican incumbent John King
Labor Commissioner: Democrat Nikki Porcher and Republican incumbent Bárbara Rivera Holmes
State School Superintendent: Democrat Lydia Powell and Republican incumbent Richard Woods
Public Service Commission District 3: Democrat Peter Hubbard and Republican Fitz Johnson
Public Service Commission District 5: Democrat Shelia Edwards and Republican Josh Tolbert.

Georgia General Assembly

Chattooga County voters will also decide two races for the Georgia General Assembly.

In State Senate District 53, Republican incumbent Lanny Thomas of Trion faces Democrat John Bentley “Jack” Zibluk.

In Georgia House District 12, Republican incumbent Eddie Lumsden faces Democrat Holly Chaney.

Local School Board Races

Some voters will also see Chattooga County Board of Education races depending on the district in which they live.

The seats for Districts 2, 3 and 4 are up for election this year. Following this year’s primary, incumbent Tiffany T. Lawrence is the Republican nominee in District 2. Incumbent Lori Ann Brady qualified without opposition in District 3, while incumbent Bonnie Kinnamont Fletcher qualified without opposition in District 4.

Two Senior Property Tax Questions

Chattooga County voters will decide two local homestead exemption questions affecting qualifying residents age 70 and older.

The first stems from House Bill 1543 and involves the existing Chattooga County School District senior homestead exemption.

Under the proposal, the income limit would increase from $20,000 to $38,000. The existing $40,000 exemption from assessed value would increase to $41,150 for tax year 2027 and $55,000 beginning in 2028.

The second question comes from House Bill 1544 and concerns Chattooga County property taxes.

It would establish a $70,000 homestead exemption from assessed value for county ad valorem taxes for residents age 70 or older whose annual income does not exceed $38,000.

Both measures require voter approval before taking effect.

Education SPLOST Renewal

Voters will also consider renewal of the county’s Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or ESPLOST.

This is a renewal of the existing one-cent education sales tax, rather than an additional penny being added to the current sales-tax rate.

Revenue from ESPLOST is used by the school systems for capital projects and other expenditures permitted under Georgia law.

Trion School Bond Question

Voters within the Town of Trion will have an additional question involving the Trion City School System.

Trion City Schools is seeking authorization for up to $9 million in bonding authority in connection with the ESPLOST renewal. School officials have said the $9 million represents the maximum amount that could be borrowed and does not mean the school system would immediately borrow the entire amount.

Potential uses discussed by the school system include school safety and security improvements, classroom technology, renovations, land purchases, athletic facility improvements and development of a healthcare career pathway at Trion High School. The Trion Town Council previously approved placing the question before voters.

Statewide Ballot Questions

Chattooga County voters will also see statewide ballot measures. Certified proposals for 2026 include questions concerning creation of a Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund, increasing the maximum acreage eligible for the state’s agricultural and timber conservation-use property tax classification from 2,000 to 4,000 acres, and requiring nonpartisan elections for probate judges.

Because individual ballots can differ depending on a voter’s residence and voting district, voters should review their own official sample ballot through the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

The deadline to register to vote or update a voter registration for the November election is Monday, October 5. Georgia’s advance voting period begins October 13, with Election Day set for Tuesday, November 3.