A full year at the polls,

and the biggest ballot is next

2026 is a midterm year in Georgia. DeKalb voters have already been called to the polls six times this year. The Nov. 3 General Election is the largest ballot of the year, with races at every level of government, statewide ballot questions, and a school funding vote.

Register by

Mon, Oct. 5

Early voting

Oct. 13 to 30

Absentee request by

Fri, Oct. 23

Election Day

Tue, Nov. 3

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Any runoff will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Three ways to vote

Early voting, Oct. 13 to 30. 22 locations. Weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, Oct. 18 and 25, noon to 6 p.m. Vote at any DeKalb early voting site.

By mail. Request an absentee ballot by Oct. 23. Return it by mail or to a drop box inside select early voting sites during voting hours.

Election Day, Nov. 3. Vote at your assigned precinct. Some polling places have changed, so check before you go.

Bring an accepted photo ID. A free Georgia voter ID card is available if you need one.

Voter Checklist

✅ Check your registration

✅ Preview your sample ballot

✅ Find your Election Day polling place

✅ Early voting sites and hours

✅ Sample ballots in Spanish, Korean, and Amharic

✅ Request an absentee ballot by

Oct. 23

Federal

U.S. Senate and U.S. House (Districts 4, 5, and 13)

Statewide

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioners of Agriculture, Insurance, and Labor, State School Superintendent, and Public Service Commission Districts 3 and 5

State legislature

State Senate and State House seats representing DeKalb

County

County Commission Districts 2, 3, and 7, and Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (vote for two)



City special elections

Council seats in Brookhaven, Doraville, and Stonecrest, and Mayor and Council in Pine Lake. Brookhaven voters decide a senior and disabled homestead exemption increase ($160,000 to $200,000). Tucker voters decide an annexation question.

Ballot questions

1. Farmland tax assessment. Raises the maximum acreage that can qualify for conservation use tax assessment from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

2. Probate judges. Requires all probate court judges in Georgia to be elected in nonpartisan elections.

3. 9-1-1 fund. Lets the state dedicate certain existing revenues to a fund used only for expanding, maintaining, and operating 9-1-1 systems.

E. ESPLOST renewal. Continues the existing one percent education sales tax starting July 1, 2027, for up to five years, raising to $1.05 billion for DeKalb County Schools, Atlanta Public Schools within DeKalb, and City Schools of Decatur. A yes vote also approves up to $500 million in school district bonds for these projects.

A yes vote approves the change. A no vote keeps things as they are.

Special Election for

DeKalb County School System

“Shall the special one percent sales and use tax for educational purposes currently imposed in DeKalb County be reimposed on July 1, 2027, upon the expiration of the such currently imposed tax, for not longer than 20 consecutive calendar quarters, to raise not more than $1,046,154,324.00 to be used for educational purposes.”

What this election means for DeKalb

Voters will choose leaders at every level, from the U.S. Senate to the County Commission, and decide how to fund school construction and technology over the next five years. Local and state offices on this ballot shape roads, schools, public safety, and emergency services in our neighborhoods.

FROM THE OFFICE OF CEO LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON

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