Isabella Carter
Georgia voters will decide on two constitutional amendments and a statewide referendum in the upcoming November election. Georgians will have the opportunity to cast a Yes or No vote on both proposed amendments and the referendum that the General Assembly approved for voter consideration. Constitutional amendments are changes to the Georgia Constitution that require majority voter approval, while referendums involve specific laws or policies that require voter approval but do not alter the constitution. Georgia is recognised as a national leader in elections, being the first state to implement automatic voter registration, at least 17 days of early voting, and no-excuse absentee voting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutional Amendments to be Voted On | 2 |
| Number of Statewide Referendums to be Voted On | 1 |
| Type of Vote | Yes or No |
| Voter Guide Available | Yes, provided by Secretary Raffensperger |
| Summary of Amendments Available | Yes, online and in booklets at the Secretary of State's Office and at the office of each county's election superintendent |
| Wording of Ballot Questions Available | Yes, on sample ballots found on My Voter Page |
| Georgia's Ranking in Election Integrity | #2 by the Heritage Foundation |
| Georgia's Ranking in Voter Accessibility | Top ranking by the Center for Election Innovation & Research |
| Georgia's Ranking in Election Administration | Tied for #1 by the Bipartisan Policy Center |
| Amendment Question One | Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a statewide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures? |
| Amendment Question Two | Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide for the Georgia Tax Court to be vested with the judicial power of the state and to have venue, judges, and jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts? |
| Referendum Question | Do you approve the Act that increases an exemption from property tax for all tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000? |
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What You'll Learn
Voting on amendments and referendums
In Georgia, voters are required to decide on constitutional amendments and statewide referendums. These are placed on the ballot for a vote following a simple majority (a minimum of 91 votes in the Georgia House of Representatives and 29 votes in the Georgia State Senate) and the governor's signature. Constitutional amendments are changes to the Georgia Constitution that require approval from the majority of voters. Referendums, on the other hand, involve specific laws or policies that do not alter the constitution but still require voter approval.
Before an election, Georgians can access a guide to these amendments and referendums, prepared by the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Legislative Counsel. This guide includes summaries of the proposed measures, which are also available on sample ballots found on the My Voter Page. In addition, printed booklets are available at the Secretary of State's Office and the office of each county's election superintendent. Copies of the amendments are also published in legal advertisements in every county's legal organ.
During the voting process, Georgians cast a “Yes” or “No” vote on the proposed amendments and referendums. For instance, in the 2024 November election, Georgia voters decided on two constitutional amendments and one statewide referendum. The first amendment aimed to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, while the second amendment proposed establishing a Georgia Tax Court to handle tax disputes. The referendum question focused on increasing the exemption from property tax for tangible personal property.
Georgia has been recognised as a leader in elections, being the first state to implement automatic voter registration, at least 17 days of early voting, and no-excuse absentee voting. It has consistently set records for voter turnout and election participation, ranking highly for election integrity, voter accessibility, and election administration.
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Where to find explanations of amendments
Georgia's current constitution was adopted in November 1982 and became effective in July 1983. It is Georgia's tenth constitution and has been amended 91 times as of 2024. Amendments to the Georgia Constitution may be proposed by the General Assembly or by a constitutional convention.
The Georgia Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A legislative process involves a two-thirds (66.67%) vote during one legislative session for the Georgia State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot. A constitutional convention can occur if a two-thirds majority of the members of both houses of the Georgia General Assembly agree to hold it.
The Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, provides a guide to statewide ballot initiatives and constitutional amendments. Summaries of the amendments are prepared by Attorney General Christopher Carr, Secretary Raffensperger, and Legislative Counsel Betsy Howerton. These summaries can be found online, and booklets with printed summaries are also available at the Secretary of State's Office and at the office of each county's election superintendent.
The wording of the ballot questions is available on sample ballots found on the My Voter Page. Copies of the amendments also appeared in legal advertising in every county's legal organ. Additionally, the 1983 Georgia Constitution is available in Volume 2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), and an annotated version is available in Volumes 2 and 3.
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Voting in person
Once you are registered, you can vote in person during early voting or on election day. Early voting in Georgia typically begins 17 days before an election, and you can vote at any early voting site in your county of registration. On election day, you must vote at your assigned polling place. You can find your assigned polling place by checking your voter registration card or by using the online poll locator tool.
When you arrive at the polling place, you will need to show a valid form of identification, such as a Georgia driver's license or a state ID card. If you do not have one of these IDs, there are other acceptable forms of ID, including a U.S. passport, a valid employee ID from any branch of the federal or state government, or a U.S. military ID.
After your ID is verified, you will be given a ballot. You will then proceed to a voting booth to cast your vote. The ballot will include the constitutional amendments and statewide referendums, as well as other federal, state, and local elections that are taking place. You will have the opportunity to vote 'Yes' or 'No' on the proposed amendments and referendum.
Finally, you will submit your completed ballot. Your vote is now officially cast, and you have successfully participated in the democratic process by voting in person!
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Voting by mail
Georgia was the first state in the country to implement no-excuse absentee voting. This means that any Georgian citizen can vote by mail without needing to provide a reason for doing so.
To vote by mail, Georgians must first request an absentee ballot. This can be done by completing an application form online, by mail, or in person at the county elections office. The application form requires voters to provide their name, date of birth, address, and signature. Once the application is approved, the voter will receive their absentee ballot in the mail.
The absentee ballot will include the constitutional amendments and statewide referendums that the voter is eligible to vote on. In the 2024 general election, Georgia residents will be able to decide on two constitutional amendments and one referendum related to taxation. The specific amendments and referendums on the ballot may vary depending on the county and the legislative session.
After making their selections, voters must seal their completed absentee ballot in the provided envelope and sign the outside of the envelope. The signed envelope must then be returned to the county elections office by mail or in person. Absentee ballots must be received by the deadline in order to be counted.
It is important to note that the process for voting by mail may vary slightly depending on the county and any changes to state or local laws. Voters are encouraged to refer to the Georgia Secretary of State website or their local county elections office for the most up-to-date and accurate information on voting by mail in their specific county.
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Who can vote
To vote on constitutional amendments in Georgia, you must be a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you wish to vote, and be at least 18 years old. You can register to vote online or by mail. You can check your voter registration status and find voter ID requirements on the Secretary of State's My Voter Page.
If you are a convicted felon, you are not eligible to register and vote in Georgia unless you have completed your sentence, including any probation, parole, or payment of fines. If you are not a citizen of the United States or a legal resident of Georgia and the county in which you wish to vote, you cannot vote in Georgia. Additionally, if you are under 18 years old, you cannot vote, but you can pre-register if you are 17 and a half years old.
Georgia requires voters to present a government-issued photo ID when voting in person. This can include a valid driver's license, a free state-issued ID, passport, military ID, student ID from a public college, or employee ID issued by a local, state, or federal government. Voters who vote by absentee ballot will also need to provide identification. It is important to note that Georgia does not currently offer online voting, but it does provide online registration.
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