[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 7/24/2003 ]

Voters put GOP face on state government

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By JIM THARPE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia's state government, headquartered beneath the gold dome of the Capitol downtown, made history in 2003.

The state became the last in the South to elect a Republican governor in modern times, when former state Sen. Sonny Perdue upset Democratic incumbent Roy Barnes. Perdue became Georgia's first GOP governor in 130 years.

A few days later, four Democratic state senators switched parties, giving that legislative chamber a Republican majority for the first time in more than a century. Suddenly, a state that had known only Democratic rule since Reconstruction had only the state House of Representatives in Democratic control.

Of the state's six constitutional officers -- the secretary of state, the attorney general, state school superintendent, insurance commissioner, labor commissioner and agriculture commissioner -- four remained in Democratic hands. The lieutenant governor, who presides over the state Senate, is also a Democrat.

The 1889 Capitol, which recently underwent a massive multimillion-dollar face-lift, is located on the southeast side of downtown Atlanta.

Many of the state's 82,000 employees work in the office buildings that surround the Capitol grounds.

Atlanta is the fifth capital city in the state's history.

The Capitol is in downtown Atlanta at 206 Washington St. near the intersection of I-20 and the Downtown Connector (I-75/85). It is near Underground Atlanta and the Georgia State and Five Points MARTA stations. The Capitol is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except on state holidays. Tours can be scheduled by calling 404-656-2844.

ON THE WEB: www.sos.state.ga.us/museum

PERSONAL TAXES

Residents of metro Atlanta are subject to three major state and local taxes: property, sales and use, and Georgia personal income. For more information, go to www.state.ga.us/Departments/DOR

VOTER REGISTRATION

The next statewide elections will be held in 2004 and will be the second to feature Georgia's new touch-screen voting machines. To vote, you must register at least 30 days beforehand and present valid ID at the polling station on election day. You do not register with a political party. Many counties have several voter registration stations, including libraries, public-assistance offices, recruitment offices, schools and other government offices. To find the one nearest you, call the elections office of your county of residence or see the government listings section of this Guide Book. You also may register to vote when you obtain your driver's license.

A new law signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2003 would allow voters to cast their ballots as much as a week before the vote at local election offices. The measure awaits the approval of the U.S. Department of Justice.

For more information, go to www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/applications.htm