Written by Raiana Kelly
The 2022 election is right around the corner on May 24. Voting is an excellent way to make your voice heard on issues that directly affect you, such as housing, education, healthcare, employment, and more. Voting is especially important for local elections, as turnout is typically lower than Presidential elections and your vote can make more of a difference. Just as important as getting out to vote is understanding what you’re voting about and who you’re voting for. With the 2022 election a little over two months away, now is the time to prepare and educate yourself about what and who is on the ballot. Here’s what we know so far.
Important dates
- April 25: Last day to register to vote for the May 24 General Primary Election
- May 24: General Primary Election, Nonpartisan General Election, and Special Election
- June 21: General Primary Election, Nonpartisan General Election and Special Election Runoff
- June 21: General Primary Election Runoff date for Federal Races
- November 8: General Election/Special Election
- December 6: General Election/Special Election Runoff
- December 6: General Election Runoff date for Federal Races
Check your voter registration status
If you intend to vote in May, the last day to register to vote is April 25. You can register to vote or check your voter registration status here as well as check your polling location, early voting locations, and more.
Redistricting: what has changed?
In December 2021, Governor Kemp signed HB 890, finalizing Athens’ new Republican-drawn commission district map. Following the finalization, Athens-Clarke county (ACC) is now split into four House districts and remains in two Senate districts. All elections this year will be based on the new map.
As a result of the new map, our ten commission districts have been renumbered, with many voters being relocated into new districts. If your district has been renumbered, you will still be represented by your current commissioner until they finish their term; the new changes will take effect on January 1, 2023.
If you’re wondering if your district has changed, you won’t have to wonder much longer. The ACC Elections Office is working on notifying voters of the changes, and new voter registration precinct cards are expected to be delivered in mid-March. Director of Elections Charlotte Sosebee noted “if a voter does not receive a new registration card in the mail by May 2, please contact the Elections Office. The last day to register to vote for the May 24 General Primary Election is April 25.”
ACC Mayor & Commission
As a result of redistricting, commissioners Melissa Link (District 3), Tim Denson (District 5), and Russell Edwards (District 7) no longer live in the districts they currently represent; they will be ineligible for re-election this year. In addition to their seats, District 1 (Patrick Davenport) and District 9 (Ovita Thornton) are also on the ballot.
Multiple commissioner candidates have filed a Declaration of Intent with the ACC Elections Office. Asia Thomas for District 3; Matthew Pulver, Dexter Fisher, and Jared Bailey for District 5; John Culpepper and Allen Jones for District 7.
Up for re-election is Mayor Girtz, who was elected in 2018. Girtz announced his intent to run for re-election, but he will not run unopposed. Several other Athens residents have declared their intent to run for Mayor: Mara Zuniga, Bennie Coleman III, former school district employee Pearl Hall, and former neighborhood leader Mykeisha Ross.
Mayor and commission candidates must qualify for their races between March 7th and March 11th.
ACC School Board
Athens-Clarke county school districts are also affected by redistricting. Five of the nine school board seats are open this year, and three board members have announced that they will not seek re-election. Those members are Greg Davis (District 1), Kara Dyckman (District 5) and Tawana Mattox (District 9). District 3 and District 7, currently held by Linda Davis and board President Lakeisha Gantt, respectively, are also open. So far, Mark Evans has submitted a Declaration of Intent for District 9.
School board candidates must qualify for their races between March 7th and March 11th.
Special Elections & More
On the May 24 ballot is the next TSPLOST (Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). If voters approve the TSPLOST 2023 program, sales tax collection will continue at the current rate of 8%.
Also on the ballot are the following races:
- ACC Solicitor General (currently C.R. Chisholm Jr.)
- Superior Court Judge (currently Eric Norris)
- Superior Court Judge (currently Lisa Lott)
All seats in the Georgia Legislature are up for re-election in 2022. As a result of redistricting, Athens will now have six representatives; the sixth seat is new. These seats are:
- State House District 117, currently held by Houston Gaines (R)
- State House District 118, currently held by Spencer Frye (D)
- State House District 119, currently held by Marcus Wiedower (R)
- State House District 120, currently unfilled.
- State Senate District 46, currently held by Bill Cowsert (R)
- State Senate District 47, currently held by Frank Ginn (R)
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement co-founder, Mokah-Jasmine Johnson, has announced her candidacy for House District 120 earlier this week. Johnson previously ran for House District 117 in 2020.
Statewide Elections
The following offices are on the 2022 ballot:
- Governor, currently Brian Kemp
- Lieutenant Governor, currently Geoff Duncan
- Secretary of State, currently Brad Raffensperger
- Attorney General, currently Christopher Carr
- Labor Commissioner, currently Mark Butler
- State School Superintendent, currently Richard Woods
- Insurance and Fire Commissioner, currently John King
- Agriculture Commissioner, currently Gary Black
- United States Senate, currently Raphael Warnock
Another change stemming from redistricting is that ACC now falls into congressional House District 10, which is currently represented by Jody Hice. However, Hice has announced he will be leaving this seat as he intends to run for Secretary of State. Several candidates have announced their campaigns to fill Hice’s seat.
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