Georgia Policy & Elections

ELECTION CALENDAR

Note this calendar does not include dates that have already passed. The full Georgia election calendar is available here.

Make Your Voting Plan

  • Visit mvp.sos.ga.gov and verify your voter registration. Be sure to double check your name, address, and voting precinct location.

    If you are not registered to vote, please see this video for assistance.

  • Your sample ballot can be found on mvp.sos.ga.gov. Research all of the candidates as well as any ballot questions, referendums, or addendums before voting.

  • See the early voting dates and deadlines above. You can vote early at any participating early voting precinct. Check your county elections website for early voting locations as they can change year to year.

  • Polls are open 7 AM to 7 PM. As long as you are in line before 7 PM, you must be permitted to vote. If you cannot make it before 7 PM to your assigned polling precinct, please visit the precinct closest to you within your county and ask for a provisional ballot. If you are at risk of not being available on election day, please make a plan to vote early.

  • In the event that there is a runoff election, the same information can be used. Deadlines for absentee ballots and early voting will be updated on this page as needed.

Voting Checklist

  • Identification: You must have your license or state ID in order to cast your ballot. Accepted forms of identification include:

    • 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

    • A Georgia driver's license, even if expired

    • Student ID from a Georgia public College or University

    • 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 containing a photograph of the voter

    • Valid tribal photo ID containing a photograph of the voter

Redistricting

The redistricting plan approved for Georgia elections in 2024 redefined the boundaries of various electoral districts across the state. The legal challenges focused on concerns of gerrymandering and fair representation. The Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder to strike down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 led to multiple states, including Georgia, facing contested redistricting efforts

As of May 13th, Governor Brian Kemp has released a proclamation calling for another special session on June 17th to consider “the division of the state into appropriate districts…” Any potential changes to our district maps would not (allegedly) be able to take effect until 2028, which gives us time…

Voters should be aware of their current district assignments, how these changes may impact their local representation, and prepare for what’s to come.

Whether impacted by redistricting or not, your district numbers can be found by logging into My Voter Page and clicking the “My Districts & Elected Officials” tab. There are hyperlinks for Candidates Elected, District Maps, State Districts, and Federal Districts. Your State Senate, State House, and Congressional Districts are all hyperlinked and lead to your current representation.

View Your Districts

Ballot Choices

Method to my Madness

When I am attending candidate forums, listening to interviews, meeting or speaking with candidates, I am always listening and asking questions. Whether I vocalize them or not, there are certain questions and things that I am considering in each race, every electoral year. For each race below, I have provided some of these questions for consideration.

This page has been updated to remove all candidate endorsements to focus on the information. Be sure to also check below for additional resources and guides, including another voter guide version from a friend!

Governor - Pick your poison

  • Everything! The governor is the head of the state. Literally. Not only do they have veto power and executive power, but they also appoint a lot of positions within our state leadership as well. They manage state agencies such as the Department of Health or Labor and serve as the commander-in-chief of the state’s military forces. They also are the final approval of the state’s budget. The governor also appoints legislative floor leaders for each session to champion their priorities.

    I need to know that this person will not sale Georgians up the river at the first dollar’s chance and will make some progressive (really just overdue) moves like fully expanding Medicaid and truly investing in sustainable clean energy and transportation projects. Not more freeways and rejected subsidies for feeding children during the summer months or affordable healthcare.

Lieutenant Governor

  • In Lt. Governor, I want someone with legislative experience. This role is the second highest elected official in the state. They serve as the President of the Senate and presides over debate in the Senate chamber. The Lt. Governor can work with advocates to introduce legislation as well. The Gold Dome is…an interesting space to navigate. I’m looking for someone who has done a little more than attend one or two advocacy days and has some bipartisan legislation experience.

Secretary of State

  • The Georgia Secretary of State oversees portions of our voting systems, tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state's securities' market.

    I am looking for someone business-minded with a good voting record (as applicable). How much experience do they have running and starting a business in Georgia? Are they advocating for lower fees to remove barriers for people who want to start a business in the state? Are they advocating and working with other state leaders and legislators to promote investment in the state without shortselling the needs of Georgians?

Attorney General

  • The Attorney General (AG) is the chief legal adviser for the Governor, as well as for all state agencies, boards, and commissions. The office represents the State of Georgia in all civil cases before any court and in all cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. The Attorney General also prepares contracts and agreements, prosecutes public corruption cases, and oversees the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

    The current AG (who is running for governor now) has used the office as a tool of political weaponization. This is not hyperbole or partisan opinion. I simply do not have another way to describe indicting 60 peaceful protestors on RICO charges for collecting bail support for other peaceful protestors. This is one example, but regardless of who wins this race, I want someone who applies the law fairly and equitably. Not for political gain or favor. Apply the law, follow the rule of law, and advise in a way that represents the best of Georgia in any and all court cases and matters. Do you know the law? How long have you practiced and in what area? Sample cases won? Lost? Other government experience? Who supports you? Who is willing to work with you regardless of party affiliations for what’s right for Georgia?

Commissioner of Agriculture

  • Are. You. A. Farmer?

    If you are not a farm or have extensive Ag experience in the South, PREFERABLY in Georgia, need not apply. There’s Atlanta, and then there’s Georgia. And once you get past the metro 5, middle and South Georgia is full of farm and Ag land and industry. Our Black farmers in particular are often left out of statewide conversations and I really want to see them get a lot more resources and shine.

Commissioner of Insurance

  • Insurance in Georgia is outrageous and has some of the highest rates in the country. The formulas for this have not always been transparent and the reasons can go between the commissioner and the insurance companies with both pointing the fingers at each other. I have had insurance companies tell me there are certain cost-saving plans that the state has to opt into and Georgia is 1 of 2 that has refused (I verified). While the commissioner’s office (who is also over fire safety fyi) points to rising costs and inflation and other calculations. There are three divisions within this office: Insurance, Safety Fire, and Premium Tax.

    So, I am looking for transparency and cost savings. Insurance rates have increased every year. Time is up for that! Have you owned or managed insurance agencies? How did that go? Any certifications? Licenses? Trainings? Good at building partnerships? Attention to detail? Georgians and not corporations in mind?

State School Superintendent

  • The superintendent is the administrative head of the Georgia of Department of Education who oversees the state's K-12 public education system. Responsible for implementing the policies of the state Board of Education and managing operations for the school system. I want someone who has (preferably) worked in multiple school districts across the state. Not someone who has volunteered on the local PTA or worked in the same county for 30 years. How much community work and engagement have you done? How many counties and districts and roles have you operated in? I want to know that the students, staff, and teachers will be considered in the decision-making process. We cannot benefit the students at the expense of teachers or vice versa while also leaving the staff to hang out to dry. Teachers are shaping the future and they deserve equitable pay and resources and so do our babies.

Commissioner of Labor

  • The commissioner is responsible for implementing the state's labor regulations. The labor commissioner heads up the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), which implements the state's labor regulations, operates its unemployment insurance and workforce development programs. They can do things such as investigate wage theft and other violations of Georgia labor law.

    I want labor endorsements and relationships. I want to know that if something else catastrophic happens, Georgians won’t be put through hurdles to get unemployment only to sometimes still be denied or waiting months for payments. Will workforce development programs be well-resourced and promoted? Will regulations be enforced and followed?

Public Service Commissioners

  • There are five members of the public service commission, and they are all elected during statewide elections. The Georgia Public Service Commission ensures that consumers receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced telecommunications, electric, and natural gas services. They are responsible for tasks such as authorizing utility rate increases.

    Disclaimer: I currently serve as the vice chair on a climate organization’s board and I am heavily invested through this role and other roles in clean energy and the PSC. I am staunchly opposed to unsustainable data center development due to the harmful impacts to the environment, our pockets, and other reasons. I am looking for progressive values in candidates for this role. People who can champion renewable and clean energy in Georgia, hold industry leaders accountable, and manage costs and affordability for Georgians.

United States House of Representatives

  • sighs at this point I want someone who is truly willing to do what is needed to fight the current direction of this country. For safety, I’ll leave that there…

United States House of Representatives

  • Progressive values and more than strongly worded threads and letters. I want action and legislative priorities that align with pro-democracy values. Someone who is willing to work with and for the people.

State Legislature Races - House and Senate

  • Constituent engagement and a strong understanding of the legislative process.

    Our Georgia General Assembly (GA) is made up of two chambers: The House and The Senate:

    The House of Representatives is the larger of the 2 chambers of the GA with 180 members. The State Senate is made up of 56 members. In addition, the Senate has the sole responsibility of confirming the Governor's appointments to state boards and agencies.

    A Senator's duties are broader than their three-month Legislative Session from January to March. Senators represent the interests of their constituents year-round by helping with government agencies and studying problems which citizens feel require legislation.

    I want people in these roles who are adept at legislative processes or at least at surrounding themselves with good influences who are adept in them. These you’re going to have to just trust me (and my peer-reviewers) on the choices.

    Below, HD = House District and SD = Senate District

Judicial Races

  • Rule. of. Law.

    I’m asking similar questions of what I am asking for the AG role but I happen to know quite a few attorneys and judges so I also ask for experiences of civil rights, state, and district attorneys.

County and Municipal Races

  • Community engagement and involvement. Do I know you? Do the people in your community know you? Not just your name, but know you as a person? have you been present or doing the work outside of campaign time?

Resources

Download my Instagram “Picks” Toolkit to print and take with you to vote (and you can repost on IG @TiffLanelle)

Download Toolkit

Georgia My Voter Page

Kia Speaks - Additional Peer-Reviewed Instagram Voter Guide | Substack Voter Guide

PeachPol - Independent Georgia political journalism site Peachpol

BLK ALERTS - Shaping the New Georgia – A 2026 Bipartisan Gubernatorial Forum

DeKalb and Fulton Dems 2026 Georgia Gubernatorial Forum First Hour | Second Hour

DeKalb Dems: Attorney General and Secretary of State Candidate Forum

Georgia Wins Here: Commissioner of Labor Candidate Forum

Georgia Wins Here: State School Superintendent, PSC, Commissioner of Agriculture Candidate Forum

Georgia Wins Here: Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of Insurance

Beyond The Bench: Why Judicial Elections Matter

Meet The Candidates Forum: State House and Senate Candidates

Georgia Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Forum: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Georgia Governor Atlanta Press Club Debates: Democrats | Republicans; Runoff: Republicans

Georgia Secretary of State Atlanta Press Club Debates: Democrats | Republicans; Runoff Debate: Democrats | Republicans

Lt. Governor Atlanta Press Club Debates: Democrats | Republicans; Runoff Debate: Democrats | Republicans

Georgia Attorney General Atlanta Press Club Debates: Democrats | Republicans

Georgia State School Superintendent Atlanta Press Club Debate: Runoff: Republicans

Georgia Labor Commissioner Atlanta Press Club Debate: Runoff: Democrats

Georgia Insurance Commissioner Atlanta Press Club Debate: Runoff: Democrats

Georgia PSC District 5 Atlanta Press Club Debates: Democrats | Republicans

As you can imagine, this takes a lot of time and work. Have a grocery contribution you’d like to offer? Click below!