4 Things To Watch On Election Day 2019 In Metro Atlanta
In metro Atlanta, local issues will take center stage as voters go to the polls Tuesday.
David Goldman / Associated Press file
No statewide elections or legislative races are on the ballot this fall, meaning local issues will take center stage Tuesday as voters go to the polls in metro Atlanta.
A look at some key races and issues in the Nov. 5 election.
Which cities and towns are having mayoral elections?
Those who live in College Park will be voting in a mayor’s race Tuesday. Five challengers are hoping to unseat Mayor Jack Longino, who’s been in office for the past 23 years.
In Smyrna, five candidates are vying to replace Max Bacon, who is retiring. There are also mayor’s races in Jonesboro, Riverdale, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Stonecrest and Norcross, among others.
What about city council races?
There are numerous city council or city commission races throughout metro Atlanta on Tuesday. For a look at what your ballot will look like, click here.
What exactly is the DeKalb Ethics Referendum?
Voters are being asked to approve a new way members of the ethics board are selected. This would essentially overwrite the 2015 referendum that was struck down by the Georgia Supreme Court (which ruled that a board of ethics needed to be appointed by elected officials only, not groups like the chamber of commerce or bar association).
Those in favor of a “Yes” vote say this new way would be constitutional and is needed because the board of ethics has been dormant for more than a year. Opponents, those who want a “No” vote, say it’s a conflict of interest for the CEO and Board of Commissioners to choose a member of the board – someone who would have a vote in overseeing their ethical behavior. They also say the language of Senate Bill 7 waters down the board’s and ethics administrator’s power.
How exactly will ballots be cast on Tuesday?
Most counties will still use the touchscreen voting machine they’ve been voting on for nearly two decades. But, those living in Bartow, Paulding or Carroll counties (and a few Georgia counties a little farther from Atlanta), will get to test drive the state’s new voting system.
This includes a new tablet check-in screen, a new touchscreen voting machine that will print out a paper copy of the ballot so voters can verify their choices. They’ll then take that ballot to a scanner at which time the vote will be officially cast. Voters won’t receive any sort of receipt. The paper ballot is locked away.
The new voting machines are supposed to be in place by next March for all counties. In Cobb County, voters will bubble in paper ballots and then feed them through the new optical scanners. This is also part of a pilot test of a backup plan in case the new voting system isn’t in place.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
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