SOUTH FULTON 2021 VOTER GUIDE
JANUARY 5, 2021 RUNOFF ELECTIONSPublic Service CommissionBy now, everyone has heard of the two runoffs happening in Georgia for the United States Senate. However, there is a third race on the January 5 ballot — Georgia's Public Service Commission or PSC. The PSC regulates Georgia's electric, gas and telephone companies. Georgians pay the 5th highest utility bills in the country. These bills include paying for a $25 billion nuclear power plant which is 5 years behind schedule and still not complete.
Daniel Blackman, a long-time Democratic activist, is running to change that. His platform also includes requiring Georgia to adopt more clean energy to fight climate change. A candidate that Councilman khalid calls #BlackOnPurpose, Blackman is also running to provide broadband internet access to rural and disenfranchised communities (as he discusses in the opening of his video above). Daniel first ran for PSC in 2014, bringing statewide attention to cost overruns at Plant Vogtle and the environmental racism of coal ash ponds (a byproduct of power plants that can contain toxic metals) that contaminate drinking water in rural communities of color around the state. Public Service Commissioners serve 6-year terms. If he wins, Blackman will be the first African American elected to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the agency's 141-year history, and the first Democrat to serve on the Commission since 2006. Visit Daniel Blackman's website at the link below to learn more. Georgia Power Proposes Dramatic Rate HikeDecember 17, 2019 — Georgia's Public Service Commission (PSC), the governing body of elected officials that regulates the state's utility companies, voted Tuesday to approve a rate hike requested by Georgia Power. The first phase of rate hikes will begin in January 2020. According the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Power customers could see their bills rise annually more than $175 on average once the rate and fee increases are fully phased in.
Though Georgia Power reported over $3.5 Billion in profits over the last 3 years, the company alleges the rate hike is needed to fund the recovery of coal ash from its power plants which it legally dumped into lakes, rivers and streams for decades. Many suspect the rate hike is a back door attempt to compensate shareholders for lost costs on Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant begun in 2013 whose construction is years behind schedule and billions over budget. How to Vote In-Person Georgia's New Voting MachinesClick on the video above to see a step-by-step demonstration of Georgia's new Voting Machines with Councilman khalid & the Fulton County Board of Elections.
LOCAL ELECTION RESULTSSTATE SENATE - DISTRICT 39
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Georgia State House Districts
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Georgia State Senate Districts
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Click either of the pictures above to view a Zoomable PDF.
The Senate is composed of 56 members. Senate Districts (SDs) are larger, with nearly 173,000 constituent per representatives. In most Legislative branches of government, the Senate is considered to be a less partisan and more deliberative body, for two main reasons:
Georgia Senators are elected for two-year terms, just like State House members. State House Representatives must be at least 21 years old; Senators must be at least 25 years old. Both must be citizens of the United States and a resident of Georgia for two years and their senatorial district for one year (preceding the election). Both State House Representatives and State Senators are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
The primary job of the State Legislature is to pass and oversee the spending of Georgia's $50 billion-dollar State Budget. The State Legislature also regulates commerce, writes the laws on what constitute state felonies and regulates everything from child support, schools, hospitals and more.
Recent issues in the State Legislature include the approval of a contract & purchase of new Voting Machines for the 2020 Election; coordinating (or failing to coordinate) a statewide response to the coronavirus pandemic; and Georgia House Bill 636, which would create a statewide database of "Use of Force" complaints against police.
- Senate Districts are larger (and therefore harder to gerrymander)
- In most bodies, Senators serve longer terms, with more time to pass legislation before they must begin campaigning for re-election.
Georgia Senators are elected for two-year terms, just like State House members. State House Representatives must be at least 21 years old; Senators must be at least 25 years old. Both must be citizens of the United States and a resident of Georgia for two years and their senatorial district for one year (preceding the election). Both State House Representatives and State Senators are elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
The primary job of the State Legislature is to pass and oversee the spending of Georgia's $50 billion-dollar State Budget. The State Legislature also regulates commerce, writes the laws on what constitute state felonies and regulates everything from child support, schools, hospitals and more.
Recent issues in the State Legislature include the approval of a contract & purchase of new Voting Machines for the 2020 Election; coordinating (or failing to coordinate) a statewide response to the coronavirus pandemic; and Georgia House Bill 636, which would create a statewide database of "Use of Force" complaints against police.
If you have difficulty voting or feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
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Check the Status of Your Mail-In Ballot Online
MAIL-IN BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED IN YOUR COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS OFFICE BY 7 P.M. ON ELECTION DAY.
You can check to see if your Ballot was received and counted at Georgia's My Voter Page. If by Tuesday the website does not show that your ballot has been received, please go vote in person. When you arrive, let a Poll Worker know if you voted by mail and your ballot has not been received.
Free Ride to Vote
The Electoral College: How Presidents Are Really Elected
A lesser-known fact about American politics is that, at the national level, our country is not a Democracy (which directly elects our leaders), but a Republic (which elects representatives who elect our leaders).
When you go to vote for President & Vice President, you are actually going to vote for a College of Electors. This Electoral College is the group of people who selects the President.
The number of "Electors" each state gets is based on a mathematical formula explained in the video above. It is important to note that the number of electors each state get is recalculated every ten years using population data collected by the U.S. Census — which is yet another reason taking the Census is so important! (Georgia's share of Electors has been steadily increasing as more Americans move to the South.)
The Electoral College was created by America's "Founding Fathers" to basically ensure that big states with big cities would not have more influence in Presidential Elections than smaller, more rural areas. There has been much debate about abolishing the Electoral College in recent years, especially as it has become clear that most African Americans and other people of color live in cities and states whose voting power is mathematically diluted. Watch the video below to learn more about this debate.
The number of "Electors" each state gets is based on a mathematical formula explained in the video above. It is important to note that the number of electors each state get is recalculated every ten years using population data collected by the U.S. Census — which is yet another reason taking the Census is so important! (Georgia's share of Electors has been steadily increasing as more Americans move to the South.)
The Electoral College was created by America's "Founding Fathers" to basically ensure that big states with big cities would not have more influence in Presidential Elections than smaller, more rural areas. There has been much debate about abolishing the Electoral College in recent years, especially as it has become clear that most African Americans and other people of color live in cities and states whose voting power is mathematically diluted. Watch the video below to learn more about this debate.
PBS' Myles Bess explains America's Electoral College and its problems.
Who are the Libertarians
and What Do They Believe?
One minute video offers quick introduction to the Libertarian Party
There are dozens of political parties besides Democrats and Republicans, but only a few of them have grown large enough to appear on ballots in multiple states. Among those that have are the Working Families Party, The Green Party and the Libertarian Party. The largest and most well-funded of these alternative parties is the Libertarian Party. Libertarians candidates can usually be found on every Georgia Ballot.
Libertarians believe the minimum amount of government involvement results in the maximum amount of freedom. Their liberal social views (they believe marijuana should be legal because the government should not be regulating social values) attract younger voters. Their conservative economic views (they do not believe in welfare, food stamps or unemployment) attract wealthier voters. This has made the Libertarian Party a favorite of millionaires, a major source of funding for the Libertarian movement.
The Libertarian call to "get the government out of your life" can be very attractive, until you realize that your tax dollars support many things the average American could not pay for alone — such as streetlights, trash service, public schools and hospitals.
Libertarians believe the minimum amount of government involvement results in the maximum amount of freedom. Their liberal social views (they believe marijuana should be legal because the government should not be regulating social values) attract younger voters. Their conservative economic views (they do not believe in welfare, food stamps or unemployment) attract wealthier voters. This has made the Libertarian Party a favorite of millionaires, a major source of funding for the Libertarian movement.
The Libertarian call to "get the government out of your life" can be very attractive, until you realize that your tax dollars support many things the average American could not pay for alone — such as streetlights, trash service, public schools and hospitals.
Why Don't Americans Have More Choices than
Democrats & Republicans?
While there are many, smaller political parties in America, including Working Families Party, The Green Party and the Libertarian Party. However, the only two parties that appear on ballots in every state in the country are Democrats and Republicans. This is not how America's Founding Fathers intended for things to be, and they actually warned against a two-party system of government. However, until enough people begin regularly voting for third-party candidates, this how things are.
This video below from ABC news' America 101 system explains the origins of America's two-party system, and what it would take to change things.
This video below from ABC news' America 101 system explains the origins of America's two-party system, and what it would take to change things.
A longer video that offers a complete history of America's political parties can be found at this link.
Slowed U.S. Mail Means Mail-In Voters Must Plan in Advance
Under current Georgia Law, your ballot must be received — not in the mail, or postmarked, but in the County Elections Office — by Election Day. The date of the Presidential Election (and the Election for many State Offices) is Tuesday, November 3 (the first Tuesday in November).
The last day to register to vote for the November 2020 Election was Monday, October 5. However, those who are un-registered should still continue to register to vote, because some races on the November ballot may have runoffs in December.
The last day to register to vote for the November 2020 Election was Monday, October 5. However, those who are un-registered should still continue to register to vote, because some races on the November ballot may have runoffs in December.
President Trump has appointed major campaign donor Louis DeJoy as head of the U.S. Postal Service. The two vow to slow the delivery of mail ahead of Election Day, Though voters can request a Vote-By-Mail (Absentee) Ballot be sent to their home, many Fulton County voters reported during this summer's Primary Elections that they never received their ballots in the mail. If you have not completed and mailed a Mail-In Ballot by Wednesday, October 21, it is highly recommended that you vote in-person at an Early Vote Location or on Election Day at your Election Day Polling Location.
President Trump and his new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy vow to slow the delivery of mail ahead of Election Day,
If you have difficulty voting or feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
View Your Ballot Before You Go Vote
& Vote on Paper
(from home)
Voters can preview what's on the ballot before going to the Voting Booth by visiting the Georgia's My Voter Page.
Follow the steps in the pictures below to:
Step 1: Log on to the State of Georgia's My Voter Page (MVP)
- Check Your Voter Registration Status
- Find Your Polling Place (which may have moved this year)
- Preview Your Individual Ballot & all its questions
- Apply to Receive an Absentee Ballot to Vote By Mail
Step 1: Log on to the State of Georgia's My Voter Page (MVP)
Step 2: Enter Your:
Note: If you have voted in Georgia before, but the system returns a message stating that your information cannot be found, try entering your information again, using the previous county in which you lived or voted. You may simply need to update your current address.
If this still does not work, you may have been "purged" from the voter rolls.
You can re-register to vote on Georgia's My Voter Page site until the County Commission Registration Deadline, August 19.
If you feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
- First Initial
- Last Name
- County
- Date of Birth
Note: If you have voted in Georgia before, but the system returns a message stating that your information cannot be found, try entering your information again, using the previous county in which you lived or voted. You may simply need to update your current address.
If this still does not work, you may have been "purged" from the voter rolls.
You can re-register to vote on Georgia's My Voter Page site until the County Commission Registration Deadline, August 19.
If you feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
Step 3: Check Your Polling Place & Voting Districts
You can also request an Absentee Ballot to Vote By Mail here.
You can also request an Absentee Ballot to Vote By Mail here.
Note: Georgia's My Voter Page will also show you where your Election Day Polling Place is and which offices (Districts) you can vote for.
You can use this site to Change/Update Your Voter Information, or request an Absentee Ballot to Vote By Mail (Absentee Ballot Application, highlighted in blue in picture above).
Anyone, whether overseas or at home, can have an Absentee Ballot sent to them in the mail and Vote By Mail. You do not need a special reason. Voting By Mail allows you to receive a Paper Ballot which you can keep a copy of for your records.
If you select an Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballot, and you are over the age of 65, an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to you for every election. If you are not over 65, you will have to request an Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballot every year.
For more information on registering to vote or voting by mail, contact the Fulton County Board of Elections at (404) 612-7020.
Step 4: Preview Your 2018 Ballot
You can use this site to Change/Update Your Voter Information, or request an Absentee Ballot to Vote By Mail (Absentee Ballot Application, highlighted in blue in picture above).
Anyone, whether overseas or at home, can have an Absentee Ballot sent to them in the mail and Vote By Mail. You do not need a special reason. Voting By Mail allows you to receive a Paper Ballot which you can keep a copy of for your records.
If you select an Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballot, and you are over the age of 65, an Absentee Ballot will be mailed to you for every election. If you are not over 65, you will have to request an Absentee (Vote By Mail) Ballot every year.
For more information on registering to vote or voting by mail, contact the Fulton County Board of Elections at (404) 612-7020.
Step 4: Preview Your 2018 Ballot
Click picture above to View & Print the 2018 Ballot for South Fulton.
State Senate & State House seats may vary, but all other questions will be the same for all City of South Fulton voters.
If you have difficulty voting or feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
"Off Paper?"
You Can Vote!
Your P.O. may not have told you, but if you are convicted of a felony in Georgia, you can re-register to vote as soon as you have paid your restitution & finished your parole. In Georgia, you do not need special permission from a judge or anyone else to re-register to vote.
If you have a loved one in County or City Jail who is awaiting trial but has not yet been found guilty of a crime — s/he can also vote! You can request an Absentee Ballot for them to vote by mail.
Don't let anyone use your record to deny your voting rights! Read the yellow section of this email below to learn how to Check Your Voter Registration, Preview Your Ballot before Election Day, and even Vote by Mail.
If you have a loved one in County or City Jail who is awaiting trial but has not yet been found guilty of a crime — s/he can also vote! You can request an Absentee Ballot for them to vote by mail.
Don't let anyone use your record to deny your voting rights! Read the yellow section of this email below to learn how to Check Your Voter Registration, Preview Your Ballot before Election Day, and even Vote by Mail.
Pay for State Legislators
While state lawmakers in many states are paid salaries from $60,000 per year to well into six-figures, Georgia State Legislators make $14,000 per year — far below the national average of $48,280 per year. Studies published in 2000 and 2004 found states whose legislators are paid full-time salaries and are given more resources in terms of staff and budget meet more frequently, are more efficient, pass more legislation, have more contact with constituents and are more attentive to their concerns. They are also more likely to write their own legislation, as opposed to presenting legislation written by outside lobbyists. Low-paying legislatures tend to be less diverse, with fewer working-class representatives and more lawmakers who are retired or have high-paying jobs that do not require them to be present at work every day.
“We call lawmakers public servants. That’s a slave term,” says South Fulton Councilman khalid. “We’re public accountants. Our job is to look after millions of taxpayer dollars. I don’t know any private company with a balance sheet in the millions or billions who pay their accountants less than minimum wage.”
“We call lawmakers public servants. That’s a slave term,” says South Fulton Councilman khalid. “We’re public accountants. Our job is to look after millions of taxpayer dollars. I don’t know any private company with a balance sheet in the millions or billions who pay their accountants less than minimum wage.”
Former South Fulton State Rep. Ladawn Blackett Jones explains why low salaries led her to leave the Georgia General Assembly.
Click the image below to play.
December 17, 2019 — Georgia's Public Service Commission (PSC), the governing body of elected officials that regulates the state's utility companies, voted Tuesday to approve a rate hike requested by Georgia Power. The first phase of rate hikes will begin in January 2020. According the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Power customers could see their bills rise annually more than $175 on average once the rate and fee increases are fully phased in.
Though Georgia Power reported over $3.5 Billion in profits over the last 3 years, the company alleges the rate hike is needed to fund the recovery of coal ash from its power plants which it legally dumped into lakes, rivers and streams for decades. Many suspect the rate hike is a back door attempt to compensate shareholders for lost costs on Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant begun in 2013 whose construction is years behind schedule and billions over budget.
Though Georgia Power reported over $3.5 Billion in profits over the last 3 years, the company alleges the rate hike is needed to fund the recovery of coal ash from its power plants which it legally dumped into lakes, rivers and streams for decades. Many suspect the rate hike is a back door attempt to compensate shareholders for lost costs on Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power plant begun in 2013 whose construction is years behind schedule and billions over budget.
Partisan vs. Non-Partisan
Primary, General & Runoff Elections
The word Partisan basically means: Democrat or Republican. There are other political parties in America (see the gray box below for more information), but these are the main two.
Partisan elections (or races) are those where candidates identify themselves as Republican, Democrat or a member of some other political party. Most elections in the United States are partisan.
Non-Partisan elections are those where candidates are not required to claim a political party. In Georgia, elections for City Council, School Board or Judges are often non-partisan.
The first Tuesday in November is National Election Day. Here in South Fulton, we have an election every year on that Tuesday. During even years we elect State and Federal (national) leaders, like the President, Governor, State Representatives and Congresspeople. We also elect our County Commissioners during even years. During odd years, City of South Fulton residents elect the Mayor and Councilpeople. These November Elections are called General Elections.
In General Election, most positions will have only two names for voters to consider — one Democrat and one Republican. Primary Elections are held in the Spring of an election year, usually around April or May, to decide the one Democrat and Republican who will go head-to-head against each other in November.
Georgia is a closed-primary state. This means when voters go vote in the Spring, they must choose either a Democrat or Republican ballot. Democratic Primary Election ballots list the names of all the Democrats running for a particular offices. Republican ballots list the names of all the Republicans running for that same ballot. Those who choose a Democrat ballot will not see Republican choices and vice versa.
Those who do not identify with either political party may select a Non-Partisan ballot. However, in doing so, they will not see candidates for any partisan races. Candidates for non-partisan races (like School Board or Judges) will appear on ALL ballots.
In order to win an election in Georgia, a candidate must get over 50 percent of the vote (50% + 1 person over). In races with three or more people, no single candidate may get over 50 percent of the vote. In these races, the top two vote-getters will move on to a Runoff Election. The winner of that election will become the new representative.
Runoff elections (also referred to simply as Runoffs) most often occur in a Partisan Primaries, where three or more Demorcats or three or more Republicans are competing for the same seat. These are called Primary Runoff Elections. The Election happening this August is a Primary Runoff Elections. However, runoffs can also occur in non-partisan elections like City Council when three or more individuals run for a single seat.
All the possible days for elections in Georgia a pre-selected each year by the State Legislature. The Board of Elections for each county or city then selects from this list, the dates for any Primary, Runoff or Special Elections needed that year.
Most people who vote in South Fulton County and the City of South identify as Democrats and usually vote for Democratic candidates. Because of this, those who identify as Republicans and request Republican Primary ballots will often find very few candidates running for office in South Fulton. Republican ballots, even in Primaries, may have only one person running unopposed for elected office — or no person running at all for some offices.
The key thing for voters to remember is that during a Primary Election, those who request a Democrat or Republican will see their party's candidates for all the partisan races on the ballot, plus all the candidates for non-partisan races. However, those choosing a non-partisan ballot will only see non-parisan races.
Partisan elections (or races) are those where candidates identify themselves as Republican, Democrat or a member of some other political party. Most elections in the United States are partisan.
Non-Partisan elections are those where candidates are not required to claim a political party. In Georgia, elections for City Council, School Board or Judges are often non-partisan.
The first Tuesday in November is National Election Day. Here in South Fulton, we have an election every year on that Tuesday. During even years we elect State and Federal (national) leaders, like the President, Governor, State Representatives and Congresspeople. We also elect our County Commissioners during even years. During odd years, City of South Fulton residents elect the Mayor and Councilpeople. These November Elections are called General Elections.
In General Election, most positions will have only two names for voters to consider — one Democrat and one Republican. Primary Elections are held in the Spring of an election year, usually around April or May, to decide the one Democrat and Republican who will go head-to-head against each other in November.
Georgia is a closed-primary state. This means when voters go vote in the Spring, they must choose either a Democrat or Republican ballot. Democratic Primary Election ballots list the names of all the Democrats running for a particular offices. Republican ballots list the names of all the Republicans running for that same ballot. Those who choose a Democrat ballot will not see Republican choices and vice versa.
Those who do not identify with either political party may select a Non-Partisan ballot. However, in doing so, they will not see candidates for any partisan races. Candidates for non-partisan races (like School Board or Judges) will appear on ALL ballots.
In order to win an election in Georgia, a candidate must get over 50 percent of the vote (50% + 1 person over). In races with three or more people, no single candidate may get over 50 percent of the vote. In these races, the top two vote-getters will move on to a Runoff Election. The winner of that election will become the new representative.
Runoff elections (also referred to simply as Runoffs) most often occur in a Partisan Primaries, where three or more Demorcats or three or more Republicans are competing for the same seat. These are called Primary Runoff Elections. The Election happening this August is a Primary Runoff Elections. However, runoffs can also occur in non-partisan elections like City Council when three or more individuals run for a single seat.
All the possible days for elections in Georgia a pre-selected each year by the State Legislature. The Board of Elections for each county or city then selects from this list, the dates for any Primary, Runoff or Special Elections needed that year.
Most people who vote in South Fulton County and the City of South identify as Democrats and usually vote for Democratic candidates. Because of this, those who identify as Republicans and request Republican Primary ballots will often find very few candidates running for office in South Fulton. Republican ballots, even in Primaries, may have only one person running unopposed for elected office — or no person running at all for some offices.
The key thing for voters to remember is that during a Primary Election, those who request a Democrat or Republican will see their party's candidates for all the partisan races on the ballot, plus all the candidates for non-partisan races. However, those choosing a non-partisan ballot will only see non-parisan races.
If you have difficulty voting or feel your right to vote is being violated, contact the Georgia Voter Protection Hotline at (888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
Interested in Running for Local Elected Office?
Here is How to Get Started.
Local elected officials make more decisions that impact the lives of everyday people than Presidents and other world leaders, from what your children learn in school to what protocols local police must follow.
Running for office is not a decision to be entered into lightly. Read the article at the link below to learn about the first questions you should ask, and the first steps to take, to run for one of these offices.
Running for office is not a decision to be entered into lightly. Read the article at the link below to learn about the first questions you should ask, and the first steps to take, to run for one of these offices.
TALE of the TAPEHere’s another reason why Local Elections are the most exciting elections of all: In Georgia they post the Voting Results on the doors of every Polling Place — so you can drive around your town and see who won! 
What is Democratic Socialism?
Simply put, Democratic Socialism is the belief that people are more important than profits; that a human being's value should not be measured by how much money they can make for themselves or their employers. Today, 1 percent of the world's population control 50 percent of the world's wealth & resources. Democratic Socialists seek to enact laws that redistribute wealth and political power to working class people. South Fulton
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Help Councilman khalid make America's Blackest City Black On Purpose.
