SOUTH FULTON 2022 ELECTION GUIDE
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The first Tuesday in November is National Election Day. Here in South Fulton, we have an election every year on that Tuesday. These November Elections are called General Elections. In the November General Election, most positions will have only two names for voters to consider — one Democrat and one Republican (learn more about why those are the only two choices for most Americans in the blue box on the right panel of this page).
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. There are often numerous candidates vying for the each Democrat and Republican spot so two dates are scheduled for the Primaries. This year, Georgia's Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24. The Primary Runoff is scheduled for Tuesday, June 21. 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. There will be 3 weeks of early voting before each Primary, including Saturday & Sunday voting every weekend EXCEPT the weekend before the Tuesday Election Day.
The Voter Guide below breaks down all the things you can vote for on the May 24 Primary Ballot, along with some picks by South Fulton Mayor khalid. Click the picture of candidates to Read Mayor khalid's Endorsement. The Democratic Ballot appears on the left, the Republican Ballot appears on the right. You can also choose a Non-Partisan Ballot. However, those ballots will have far fewer choices. They only contain votes for judges and school board, which appear at the bottom of this guide.
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. Videos of candidates debates are also posted. When available, debates hosted by City of South Fulton organizations are featured. 2022 FEDERAL RACESThese are the races for Congress 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 SenateTerms for Senators are staggered, so we will vote for 1 of our 2 Senators this year, and another in 2026. Everyone in the Georgia votes on Senators (this is why these races appear at the top of the ballot.)
United States House of Representatives
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
Watch the Republican Governor's Debate
(Atlanta Press Club) |
Lieutenant Governor
Just at the Vice President presides over the United States Senate, Georgia's Lt. Governor presides over the State Senate. S/he votes in the Senate if there is a tie and assumes the role of Governor if the Governor is unable to perform her/his duties.
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DEMOCRATS
Erick E. Allen
Charlie Bailey Tyrone Brooks, Jr. Tony Brown Kwanza Hall Jason T. Hayes Derrick L. Jackson R. Malik 
Watch the Democrat Lt. Governor's Debate
(South Fulton Coalition) |
REPUBLICANS
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Secretary of State
The Secretary of State overseas Voting & Elections, including Georgia's My Voter Page. This office also business registration, corporate and financial securities filings and regulation of charities & nonprofits. It was our current Secretary of State whom Donald Trump called to "find 11,779 votes" to overturn Georgia's Presidential Election of Joe Biden.
Attorney General
The Attorney General (AG) is the State of Georgia's head lawyer. S/he represents Georgia at the Supreme Court and her/his legal opinions are binding on all state agencies and departments. Since 2012, Georgia's Republican AGs have fought to stop Georgia from implementing Obamacare and expanding affordable healthcare in Georgia, as well as COVID vaccine mandates.
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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Commissioner of Agriculture
Commissioner of Insurance
State School Superintendent
11Alive news' Christie Diez conducted 3-minute interviews with each of the candidates, Democrat and Republican. The
Commissioner of Labor
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DEMOCRATS
William "Will" Boddie, Jr. Thomas Dean No Website Nicole Horn Lester G. Jackson, III Nadia Surrency |
Public Service Commissioner (District 2)
Public Service Commissioner (District 3)
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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2022 LOCAL 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.
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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.
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United States House of Representatives (Congress)
U.S. Representatives (Congresspeople) are divided into districts. Georgia has 14 Districts, so your choices for the U.S. House of Representatives will depend on where you live. The City of South Fulton is so large it covers 2 Congressional Districts (CD). The majority of the city is District 13, while northeast corner of the city is District 5.
United States House of Representatives, District 5
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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United States House of Representatives, District 13
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State Senate - District 35
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State Senate - District 38
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State Senate - District 39
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 55
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 58
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 60
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 61
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 65
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 68
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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State House of Representatives - District 69
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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Fulton County Commission Chair
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DEMOCRATS
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REPUBLICANS
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Fulton County Commission - District 5
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DEMOCRATS
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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.
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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.
Fulton County School Board, District 6
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Judges
2022 CITY 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.
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.
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.
"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.
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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New Fulton County Commission Maps for 2022
Fulton County Commission's NEW 5th District
Fulton County Commission's NEW 6th District
Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, cities, counties and State Legislatures must redraw their districts just like Congress. This process is called redistricting. The policy goal is to ensure that as people move around, each representative on your city/town council, county commission, etc. have roughly the same amount of constituents to represent. However, since this practice began, the politics of power have corrupted this policymaking process. Districts are often redrawn not just to ensure equal representation, but to either help keep long-time office holders in power — or to push them out of office.
During the redistricting process, South Fulton Mayor khalid appealed to the County Commission to create a district for South Fulton County. There are seven Fulton County Commissioners. Four of the commissioners — including the current Chair, Rob Pitts (who is also up for election this year) — live in north Fulton. The other three commissioners (Natalie Hall, Khadijah Abudur Rahman and Marvin Arrington) live in Atlanta. Currently, there is not a single member of the Fulton County Commission that lives in Fulton County south of Atlanta.
This year, when the Georgia General Assembly redrew Fulton County's Commission Districts, they basically switched the seats of the County Commissioners who represent South Fulton County. Fulton County Commission District 6 (represented by Commissioner Khadijah Abdur Rahman) is now Commission District 5. The next Election for this district will not be until 2024. Fulton County Commission District 6 is now Commission District 5. The switch of districts is not a one-to-one switch; and your home may or may not be in the same district it was last year. Click the maps above to view a zoomable map and/or check the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page to confirm your voter registration and preview your ballot.
During the redistricting process, South Fulton Mayor khalid appealed to the County Commission to create a district for South Fulton County. There are seven Fulton County Commissioners. Four of the commissioners — including the current Chair, Rob Pitts (who is also up for election this year) — live in north Fulton. The other three commissioners (Natalie Hall, Khadijah Abudur Rahman and Marvin Arrington) live in Atlanta. Currently, there is not a single member of the Fulton County Commission that lives in Fulton County south of Atlanta.
This year, when the Georgia General Assembly redrew Fulton County's Commission Districts, they basically switched the seats of the County Commissioners who represent South Fulton County. Fulton County Commission District 6 (represented by Commissioner Khadijah Abdur Rahman) is now Commission District 5. The next Election for this district will not be until 2024. Fulton County Commission District 6 is now Commission District 5. The switch of districts is not a one-to-one switch; and your home may or may not be in the same district it was last year. Click the maps above to view a zoomable map and/or check the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page to confirm your voter registration and preview your ballot.
The Election for this District 5 and the next Fulton County Commission Chair is Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Early Voting begins Monday, May 2.
Incumbent Chair Robb Pitts has two challengers: Jewell Johnson (former candidate for South Fulton City Council and Mayor) and Sonya Russell (former candidate for Atlanta City Council). The three are scheduled to debate one another Thursday, April 19 at 7PM.
City of South Fulton resident Robert H. Kelly — who has served as Chief of Staff to Commissioners Khadijah Abdur-Rahman and legendary, late Commissioner Emma Darnell — is challenging incumbent Commissioner Marvin Arrington for the District 5 seat. The two are scheduled to debate one another Monday, April 25 at 7PM.
The South Fulton Coalition is hosting online debates for all the races on the May 24 ballot in which residents can question the candidates directly. Sign up for and watch these debates at the link below.
Incumbent Chair Robb Pitts has two challengers: Jewell Johnson (former candidate for South Fulton City Council and Mayor) and Sonya Russell (former candidate for Atlanta City Council). The three are scheduled to debate one another Thursday, April 19 at 7PM.
City of South Fulton resident Robert H. Kelly — who has served as Chief of Staff to Commissioners Khadijah Abdur-Rahman and legendary, late Commissioner Emma Darnell — is challenging incumbent Commissioner Marvin Arrington for the District 5 seat. The two are scheduled to debate one another Monday, April 25 at 7PM.
The South Fulton Coalition is hosting online debates for all the races on the May 24 ballot in which residents can question the candidates directly. Sign up for and watch these debates at the link below.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
Why Don't Americans Have More Choices than
Democrats & Republicans?
While there are many, smaller political parties in America, including Working Families Party (which South Fulton Mayor khalid has joined). BioThe 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.
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?
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.
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.
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 TAPE
Here’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!
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!