Georgia Ballot Measures, 2026
This year Georgians have three ballot measures to decide. All three come to us from legislation passed in the 2025-26 regular biennial session of the Georgia General Assembly.
By Daniel Eason for the Floyd County Democratic Party
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Introduction
We in the US live in a constitutional republic, meaning our government is of ourselves,
the people. The word Republic comes from the Latin, respublica, meaning a thing (rēs)
of the public (publica). Our government is formed around a constitution, with laws that
must adhere to it. Our state government is also framed upon a constitution. And we
practice a form of representative democracy, or indirect democracy, in electing people
from among us to legislate on behalf of all of us. For these reasons we are both a
republic and a democracy.
But sometimes we practice a bit of direct democracy. Sometimes our constitution
requires it. When a measure appears on our general election ballot, that’s our
opportunity to decide an issue ourselves, without representation. This is different from
the ballot questions we often see on our primary ballots. Those ballot questions come
from the political party whose candidates appear on that particular primary ballot the
voter pulled. Those ballot questions are more a survey of interest, rather than a deciding
vote.
This year we have three ballot measures to decide. All three come to us from legislation
passed in the 2025-26 regular biennial session of the Georgia General Assembly by at
least a two-thirds majority, as required. This post will provide details on each of the three ballot measures you’ll decide during this election.
Remember that these measures, if passed, will amend the Georgia Constitution.
Amendment 1
“Increases the maximum qualifying acreage for assessment and taxation as bona fide
conservation use property.”
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia, for the purpose of protecting family farmland, be
amended so as to increase the maximum acreage to qualify for assessment and
taxation as a bona fide conservation use property from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres?" (House Resolution 32, Ga. L. 2025, p. 108)
History
HR 32 passed in the House in 2025 by a vote of 168 to 5, and in the Senate as SR 56
by a vote of 50 to 1. It was signed by the governor. It now comes before the electorate
as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment (lrca).
What it would amend
This measure would amend Article VII, Paragraph III, Section 1 of the Georgia
Constitution. It would increase, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres, the amount of land that
can be placed into conservation and lower property taxes for agricultural land owners. It
would not apply to residential properties.
Effects
Doubling the allowable acreage for lower taxes through conservation would benefit
agricultural property owners with more than 2,000 acres. But it would also lower
property tax revenues to rural counties with already lower than average revenues.
Those counties would need to replace the lost revenues or cut funding to K-12 public
schools, emergency services, public works, and government services. The State
already provides assistance to rural counties. That assistance would most likely have to
be increased.
Those who’d benefit the most
The wording on the ballot speaks of “protecting family farmland.” However, the average
family farm in Georgia is currently ~253 acres. That’s a much smaller size than 4,000
acres. The current allowance of 2,000 acres covers the vast majority of Georgia’s small
family farms. The real winners would be owners of lands much larger than average family farms. Those mostly would be large corporations, especially those corporation that farm trees, not family farm owners. Those large corporations are very profitable, to which any consumer buying their products can attest.
The Choice
Give large agricultural corporations yet another tax break or protect funding for public
schools, emergency services, public works, and government services in rural Georgia.
Amendment 2
"Provides for the nonpartisan election of all probate court judges.”
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to require that all probate court
judges be elected in nonpartisan elections?” (House Resolution 251, Ga. L. 2026, p. 1110)
History
HR 251 passed in the House by a vote of 145 to 20 in 2026, and passed in the Senate
by a unanimous vote of 46 to 0 and was signed into law. A broader bill, HB 426, passed
both chambers and was signed into law during the 2025 session. HB 426 requires both
magistrate and probate judges be elected in non-partisan races, if the ballot measure
passes. Were the measure to fail, HB 426 would’ve repealed the entirety of the law.
This measure appears on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment
(lrca).
What it would amend
This measure would amend Article IX, Section 1, Paragraph III of the Georgia
Constitution.
Effects
HR 251 changes the language of HB 426 (2025) to affect only the non-partisan election
of probate judges. Pass or fail, magistrate judges will be elected in non-partisan
elections. Only 53 counties of 159 currently elect probate judges in partisan races.
Those 53 are the only judges of all our courts, statewide, who are not elected in non-
partisan races.
Support & Opposition
In addition to the unanimous support of the Senate, and a super-majority of support in
the House, there is a long list of past and present federal, state, and municipal officials who’ve thrown their support behind this ballot measure. Notable are former governors
Roy Barnes and Nathan Deal.
Known opposition comes from Americans For Tax Reform, and from Rep. Charlice
Byrd, who’s quoted as having said: “It makes my skin go crawling and my hair stand up because I believe that we need to know as individuals where you stand on issues.”
It should be noted that judges make decisions about wills, estates, guardianships,
marriage licenses, and mental health commitments. They don’t set policy or create law.
The Choice
53 of 159 probate judges in Georgia are still chosen in partisan elections. Uniformly
electing probate judges as non-partisan officials would lower the probability of a few
judges campaigning to extremes, rather than campaigning on their qualifications to decide matters of extreme importance to the citizens, to the families, of all Georgians.
Amendment 3
“Authorizes creation of Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund for 9-1-1 systems
expansion, maintenance, and operation.”
“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly
to dedicate certain existing revenues, including revenues reallocated by law, to a
nonlapsing fund to be used exclusively for the expansion, maintenance, and operation
of emergency 9-1-1 systems in this state?" (House Resolution 1243 Ga. L. 2026, p. 1109)
History
HR 1243 passed by unanimous consent in both the House and Senate and was signed
by the governor in 2026. It appears on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional
amendment (lrca).
What it would amend
This measure would amend Article III, Section IX of the Georgia Constitution by adding
a sub-paragraph to paragraph VI.
Effects
The General Assembly would be authorized to create a dedicated fund for Next
Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services throughout Georgia. The proposed amendment
allows no other use of the funds.
NG911 is a digital internet protocol-based system that is replacing decades-old analog
911 systems. NG911 allows the transmission of texts, voice messages, photos, and
videos to emergency 9-1-1 operators. The digital system is faster than analog.
Current 9-1-1 services are primarily funded through service charges to phone bills to
Georgia consumers. It’s expected that a fund dedicated to NG911 service would also
draw revenues through service charges to phone bills.
Those who’d benefit the most
Everyone!
The choice
Pass NG911 or continue with an analog 911 system in a digital world. Yes is the clear
choice on this one.
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