SOUTH FULTON, GA • 2024 ELECTION GUIDE
South Fulton Early Voting Locations
Click Picture to Print South Fulton Early Voting Locations & Times
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 21. As is the case for our November elections, there are 3 weeks of Early Voting before Election Day. You can vote NOW, Monday-Sunday for the next several weeks at any one of Fulton County's 36 early voting locations, including ten Early Voting Locations in South Fulton.
South Fulton's New Voting Districts
The yellow shaded areas are the City of South Fulton. The thick black lines are the House & Senate District boarders.
Fulton County Commission District 6 (Click to Zoom)
What is a Primary Election vs. General Election?Unlike most other countries in the world, the United States only has two national political parties. Organizations like the Working Families Party, Libertarian, Green Party and others are working to change this (read more about this in the right panel section entitled: Why Don't Americans Have More Choices?). However, none of these alternative political parties have gained enough signatures to get on this year's ballot in Georgia. You can think of Primary Elections are like the NFL Playoffs. Like the AFC & NFC, Democrats & Republicans must choose one candidate to represent their party for each office on the ballot in the General (Super Bowl) Election in November. Because federal & state political parties will not work together, the Presidential Primary for our state was held in March (with a Runoff in April); while the Primaries for all other elected offices are held in May (with a Runoff in June). When you go to vote, you must tell Poll worker that you want a Democratic, Republican or Non-Partisan Ballot. Democrat ballots will have only Democrat candidates; you do not get to see or choose Republican candidates. Republican ballots will have only Republican candidates; you do not get to see or choose Democrat candidates. In Georgia, you can ask for a Democrat or Republican ballot for one election; then change and ask for a different party's ballot in the very next election — even for the Runoff next month! This why Georgia is called an Open Primary state. 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. Asking for a Non-Partisan ballot does NOT that you are open to all candidates and you will get choose from both parties! If you ask your Poll worker for a Non-Partisan ballot, you will only get to vote in the Non-Partisan elections and your ballot will be much shorter. YOUR 2024 PRIMARY BALLOTDemocratic Ballot candidates appear on the left and Republican Ballot candidates appear on the right. Non-Partisan elections (like Judges) and which appear towards the bottom of this guide (and your ballot).
Note: Incumbents (I) are elected officials who already hold the office they are on the ballot for. They are running to be re-elected to that office. They sometimes appear on ballots and in articles with an (I) by their name. You can click on each candidate's name to visit their website and learn more about them in their own words. 2024 FEDERAL RACESThese are the races for Congress, Senators and the President. Presidential Races are every 4 years. For Congress, the House of Representatives (often called Congresswomen or Congressmen) are elected every 2 years and the United States Senate (Senators) are elected every 2 years. This year, we have races for Congresspeople and Senators.
United States SenateEach State in the United States has 2 Senators. U.S. Senator terms are 6 years, and staggered; so we will vote for one Senator in 2026 (Ossoff or his challenger) in 2026 an the other (Warnock or his challenger) in 2028.Everyone in the Georgia votes on Senators (this is why these races appear at the top of the ballot.
There are no U.S. Senate elections this Year. Our next U.S Election is 2026. United States House of Representatives (Congressperson)
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State Senate - District 28
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State Senate - District 35
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State Senate - District 38
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State Senate - District 39
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State House of Representatives - District 55
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State House of Representatives - District 60
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State House of Representatives - District 61
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State House of Representatives - District 62
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State House of Representatives - District 63
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State House of Representatives - District 65
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State House of Representatives - District 67
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State House of Representatives - District 68
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State House of Representatives - District 69
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Fulton County Commission - District 6
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REPUBLICANS
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2022 PARTY QUESTIONS
This is where the questions on you ballot begin to look different, based on which County and City you live in. Only residents of Fulton County & the new City of South Fulton, Georgia will see these questions on your ballot. If you live on the southside of Atlanta, but are not sure if you live in the new City of South Fulton, you will know when you go to vote based on which of these questions appear on your screen or paper ballot.
— Info Coming Soon —
— Info Coming Soon —
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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2022 NON-PARTISAN RACES
This is where the questions on you ballot begin to look different, based on which County and City you live in. Only residents of Fulton County & the new City of South Fulton, Georgia will see these questions on your ballot. If you live on the southside of Atlanta, but are not sure if you live in the new City of South Fulton, you will know when you go to vote based on which of these questions appear on your screen or paper ballot.
Judges
— Candidate Info Coming Soon —
2024 MUNICIPAL (CITY) RACES
In Georgia, City Elections are held in odd years and all others are held in even years.
The next City of South Fulton Elections will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
The next City of South Fulton Elections will be Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
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.
How to Check Your Registration
& Preview Your Ballot Before You Go Vote
Mayor khalid explains how to use the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page to check your Voter Registration, confirm which voting districts you live in and even preview your ballot before you go vote.
"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.
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.
(888) 730-5816
A team of lawyers is waiting to help you.
How to Vote In-Person Georgia's New Voting Machines
Click 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.
Become a
PAID Elections Worker
The Fulton County Elections Office is seeking highly motivated dependable individuals to work on the May 24, 2022 Primary, June 21 Primary Runoff and November 8 General Election.
• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Be willing to work from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Election Days, or until 9:30 p.m. in the City of Atlanta
• Read and write English
• Have reliable transportation
• Be willing to work from 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Election Days, or until 9:30 p.m. in the City of Atlanta
• Read and write English
• Have reliable transportation
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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 blue 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.
Democrat or Republican. There are other political parties in America (see the blue 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 the 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. To use a sports analogy, the Spring Primaries are the Playoff Elections while the November General Elections are the Finals.
Georgia is a closed-primary state. This means when voters go vote in the Spring (Tuesday, May 24 this year), 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 many states like Georgia, candidates who do not win 50 Precent Plus One of the total vote in their election must compete in a Runoff Election to be declared the winner. In races with three or more people, it is highly unlikely for a single candidate to get over 50 percent of the vote in the first election. A Runoff Election will be required. After Democrats Raphael Warnock & Jon Ossoff won elections to become Georgia's first Black & Jewish U.S. Senators since Reconstruction, Georgia's Republican-controlled State Legislature changed Election Laws to require Runoffs to be held 30 days immediately after the first Election.
Runoff elections (also referred to simply as Runoffs) most often occur in a Partisan Primaries, where three or more DemocRats 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.
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 the 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. To use a sports analogy, the Spring Primaries are the Playoff Elections while the November General Elections are the Finals.
Georgia is a closed-primary state. This means when voters go vote in the Spring (Tuesday, May 24 this year), 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 many states like Georgia, candidates who do not win 50 Precent Plus One of the total vote in their election must compete in a Runoff Election to be declared the winner. In races with three or more people, it is highly unlikely for a single candidate to get over 50 percent of the vote in the first election. A Runoff Election will be required. After Democrats Raphael Warnock & Jon Ossoff won elections to become Georgia's first Black & Jewish U.S. Senators since Reconstruction, Georgia's Republican-controlled State Legislature changed Election Laws to require Runoffs to be held 30 days immediately after the first Election.
Runoff elections (also referred to simply as Runoffs) most often occur in a Partisan Primaries, where three or more DemocRats 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.
RACIST HISTORY of RUNOFF ELECTIONS
In 1962, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional Georgia's County Unit System — designed to weight rural, white votes more heavily — state legislator Denmark Groover proposed the Runoff System to give white candidates an advantage in elections with multiple candidates.
Watch the PBS News Hour story above or Listen to NPR: On Point's history of Georgia's Runoffs at the link below.
Watch the PBS News Hour story above or Listen to NPR: On Point's history of Georgia's Runoffs at the link below.
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.
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.
Why Don't Americans Have More Choices than
Democrats & Republicans?
While there are many, smaller political parties in America, including Working Families Party (of which South Fulton Mayor khalid is a member), 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. 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.
The video above 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.
The video above 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.
Who are the Libertarians
and What Do They Believe?
There are several races on the ballot in which a third party, Libertarian candidate is running. But who are they?
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.
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.
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.
What Is Socialism?
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.
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.
Interested in Running for Local Elected Office?
Here is How to Get Started.
South Fulton City Council is "technically" a part-time position. Most South Fulton City Councilmembers have full-time jobs. In addition to a part-time salary of $27,000 per year, each South Fulton City Councilmember receives free physical, vision, dental and mental health insurance; a 10 percent salary match in employee retirement; and a budget of over $150,000 per year for local events & initiatives, full-time administrative staff, interns, travel & training.
Local electeds like City Council, County Commission and School Board make more decisions that impact our daily lives than the President or Congresspeople we see on national news — from what your children art taught (or not taught) in school to what protocols local police must follow. Running for local office is not as expensive or difficult as you may think. Mayor khalid breaks down the costs, considerations and first steps to getting your name on the ballot. Click the matching link below to learn more.
Local electeds like City Council, County Commission and School Board make more decisions that impact our daily lives than the President or Congresspeople we see on national news — from what your children art taught (or not taught) in school to what protocols local police must follow. Running for local office is not as expensive or difficult as you may think. Mayor khalid breaks down the costs, considerations and first steps to getting your name on the ballot. Click the matching link below to learn more.
Restoration of Rights to Vote & Run for Office
Desmond Meade and his Florida Rights Restoration Coalition have led the fight to restore Voting Rights for former felons in Florida and led them to become a major voting block that can swing elections.
Anyone who meets the qualifications can run for office — even convicted felons, IF they have completed their sentence five years prior to election (August 25, 2018) and had their rights restored.
Click the links below to learn more about what former felons need to do to run for office in Georgia and nationwide.
Click the links below to learn more about what former felons need to do to run for office in Georgia and nationwide.
