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Early voting begins for the Nov. 8 general election

Avondale Estates Decatur Kirkwood and East Lake Metro ATL

Early voting begins for the Nov. 8 general election

File photo by Jonathan Phillips
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File photo by Jonathan Phillips

File photo by Jonathan Phillips

This story has been updated. 

People who have already made their minds up regarding the Nov. 8 general election don’t have to wait three weeks to have their say.

Early voting begins today, Oct. 17.

Early voting hours and locations are as follows: 

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Voter Registration & Elections Office

Two Areas — One Exclusively for Senior and Disabled Voters

4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300

Decatur, GA 30032

MondayFriday, 10/17-11/4

7 AM – 7 PM

Saturdays, 10/22 & 29, 7 AM – 7 PM

Sunday, 10/30, 12 Noon – 5 PM

South DeKalb The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall.

2801 Candler Road

Decatur, GA 30034

MondayFriday, 10/17-11/4

9 AM – 8 PM

Saturdays, 10/22 & 29, 9 AM – 8 PM

Sunday, 10/30, 12 Noon – 5 PM

North DeKalb — Tucker Recreation Center

4898 LaVista Road

Tucker, GA 30084

MondayFriday, 10/17-11/4

7 AM – 7 PM

Saturdays, 10/22 & 29, 7 AM – 7 PM

Note – NO Sunday Voting

North DeKalb — Chamblee Civic Center

3540 Broad Street

Chamblee, GA 30341

MondayFriday, 10/31 – 11/4

7 AM – 7 PM

Sunday, 10/30, 12 Noon – 5 PM

Atlanta – Coan Recreation Center

1530 Woodbine Avenue, SE

Atlanta, GA 30317

Brookhaven Brookhaven City Hall

4362 Peachtree Road, NE

Brookhaven, GA 30319

Downtown Decatur – Clark Harrison Building

330 W. Ponce de Leon

Decatur, GA 30030

Dunwoody – Dunwoody Library

5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody, GA 30338

East DeKalb – Berean Christian Church Community Center

2440 Young Road

Stone Mountain, GA 30088

Stonecrest – Stonecrest Library

3123 Klondike Road

Lithonia, GA 30038

ALL LOCATIONS

MondayFriday, 10/31 – 11/4

7 AM – 7 PM

(No Weekend Voting)

Source: http://web.dekalbcountyga.gov/

People who wish to vote will need to bring one of the following forms of identification, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office:

– Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

– A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

– Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

– Valid U.S. passport ID

– Valid U.S. military photo ID

– Valid tribal photo ID

To see a sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page by clicking here.

DeKalb County Commissioner Kathie Gannon provided this summary of some of the local issues that are on the ballot.

 – Amendment 1: State Intervention Through Opportunity School District

This amendment would allow the state to manage schools that have been deemed as failing, based upon their College and Career Ready Performance Index score. These schools would be shut  down or placed under a  statewide  opportunity district overseen by a governor-appointed Superintendent.

– Amendment 2: Funds For Services to Child Victim of Sex Trafficking

This amendment will allow for establishing a Safe Harbor Fund for rehabilitative and support services to sexually exploited children. Taxpayers would not contribute, but would use fines from convicted sex trafficker cases and annual fees from adult entertainment industries.

– Amendment 3: Judicial Qualifications Commission

This amendment will abolish the longstanding Judicial Qualifications Commission overseen by the judicial branch and give the authority to the general assembly.

– Amendment 4: Fireworks Tax Revenue

This amendment would support moving tax revenue from the sale of fireworks to trauma care, fire protection services and fire safety. 5% of the tax revenue would be allotted to local governments to support 911 services.

DeKalb County Special Elections

If you live in Super District 7 (the east half of the county) your special election comes next.  It is a very confusing selection.  First, there are 9 candidates listed  but Jerome Edmonson has already withdrawn but did not turn the proper information in to the Registrar, so his name remains on the ballot.  Second, with so many candidates for this position, there will be a run-off, so stay tuned.  Take the time to to learn who offers District 7 the most independent and informed opportunities.

DeKalb County Homestead Exemption  Act 264, House Bill 596

In 2015, the General Assembly passed legislation to call a referendum to extend the existing Homestead Property Tax Assessment Freeze (applicable only to County taxes) until 2022.  Voters wishing to extend  the Homestead Property Tax Assessment Freeze until 2022 should vote yes to approve the legislation.  Voters wishing to end the freeze at the end of 2016 should vote no.

The freeze maintains your property value at the level set when you elected to take the freeze.

Cities in DeKalb County

– The City of Stonecrest Special Election will only be on the ballot for those who live in the boundaries of the proposed city.

– DeKalb residents in the City of Atlanta have 2 Special Election questions on T-SPLOST and MARTA sales taxes.

– DeKalb residents in the City of Decatur have 5 Homestead Exemption questions.

– Pine Lake residents get to vote on liquor package sales.

There’s also an upcoming informational session Decatur’s five homestead tax exemptions. According to a press release from the city:

Decatur’s Lifelong Community Advisory Board’s Taxation and Affordability Committee is hosting another Third Thursday information session for City of Decatur residents to learn more about the new homestead exemptions that will come up for vote on the November 8 ballot. Please join us on Thursday, October 20, 6:30 p.m., at Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, to learn more about the exemptions.

A panel from the City School of Decatur and City of Decatur will answer questions and provide information about these five homestead exemptions. One of them is an exemption from school property taxes for homeowners over the age of 65—an exemption that expires in five years when it will be re-evaluated.

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