Georgia voters will decide three proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, including a farm tax break, a change to how probate judges are chosen and a fund for upgrading the state's 911 system. The measures, which require a two-thirds vote in the legislature and majority support from voters, could reshape tax and public safety policy across the state, according to The Atlanta Focal. The first amendment would double the farmland acreage eligible for a conservation tax break, from 2,000 to 4,000 acres, expanding a program supporters say protects working farms from rising property taxes. Farm groups have championed the change as a lifeline for Georgia's agricultural economy. The second measure would make probate judge elections nonpartisan, removing party labels from races that decide wills, estates and guardianships. Supporters argue these judicial races should be about competence, not politics, WSB-TV reported. The third amendment would create a dedicated fund for Next Generation 911 upgrades, modernizing emergency call centers so they can receive texts, photos and video from callers. Advocates say the upgrade is long overdue and could save lives in emergencies. Early voting is already underway in Georgia, and election officials expect heavy turnout. With the amendments sharing the ballot with statewide races, both campaigns and voter education groups are working to make sure Georgians know what is at stake before they mark their ballots. Voter education groups say the amendments often get less attention than candidate races, and they are running campaigns to explain each measure in plain language. Because the questions are written in legal terms on the ballot, officials urge voters to research them before heading to the polls. Secretary of state officials say sample ballots are available online so voters can study the measures in advance.
Photo: connor.carey, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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