While most voters have been paying attention to the campaign for the White House, there are a few local races that are worth watching.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Homestead exemption
Voters in this northern metro county will asked to approve a Homestead Option Sales Tax, an additional 1 percent sales tax that would be used to reduce property taxes. If approved, it would increase the sales tax in Cherokee County from 6 percent to 7 percent.
COBB COUNTY
School board
Post 7 incumbent Alison Bartlett goes up against Republican newcomer Brad Wheeler.
CLAYTON COUNTY
Sheriff
Democrat Victor Hill is being challenged by write-in candidate Garland Watkins. Hill, who served as Clayton sheriff 2005-2008, beat Sheriff Kem Kimbrough in the Democratic primary.
School board
Four Clayton school board members have drawn challengers. A 12-candidate field is seeking to fill out the policymaking board for the 50,000-student school district.
DEKALB COUNTY
Brookhaven
DeKalb’s newest city will elect a mayor and four City Council members. Twenty-four candidates have filed to fill the five elected seats, meaning there could be runoff elections Dec. 4.
GWINNETT COUNTY
School board
Three well-entrenched incumbents face challengers in Tuesday’s election. One, Louise Radloff, has been on the board nearly 40 years and is the state’s second-longest serving school board member.
FAYETTE COUNTY
Education and special use tax
Voters will decide whether to approve a 1 percent sales and use tax for educational purposes. The revenue from the tax would pay for renovating, repairing, improving and equipping existing school buildings and school system facilities.
FULTON COUNTY
Roswell
Residents will vote on a $14.7 million bond issue that would fund local transportation, recreation and public safety projects. Much of the money, almost half, is committed to ramp improvements and landscaping at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400. Another $1.5 million would go to rebuild Fire Station No. 4 in south Roswell, and $2.5 million would go for upgrades to the Adult Recreation Center, including a wading pool.
HENRY COUNTY
Commission chairman
Voters will select a new leader for the County Commission. Democrat Carlotta Harrell faces Republican Tommy Smith.
About the Author
