Understanding the Three Constitutional Amendments on Georgia’s Nov. 3 Ballot

Georgia voters will decide measures affecting farmland, judicial elections and the future of the state’s 911 emergency system

When Georgia voters head to the polls for the Nov. 3 general election, they will be asked to decide three proposed amendments to the state Constitution involving agricultural land, probate court elections and funding for emergency 911 services.

While candidates often receive most of the attention during election season, constitutional amendments can have long-lasting effects on state and local government. Once approved by voters, an amendment becomes part of the Georgia Constitution.

For that reason, voters should understand what a “yes” or “no” vote means before entering the voting booth.

Here is a breakdown of the three amendments.

Amendment 1: Conservation Use Property

The first proposed amendment would increase the maximum amount of agricultural and timber land owned by a single owner that may qualify for assessment and taxation as bona fide conservation use property.

Currently, the maximum is 2,000 acres. The amendment would increase that limit to 4,000 acres.

The Conservation Use Valuation Assessment program, commonly known as CUVA, allows qualifying agricultural and timber property to be taxed based on its conservation use value rather than its potentially higher fair market value. Property owners receiving the benefit are generally required to maintain the land in qualifying conservation use under a 10-year covenant.

Supporters may view the proposal as a way to help preserve family farmland, support agriculture and forestry, and reduce development pressure on large tracts of land. Because qualifying property may be assessed at a lower value, however, expanding eligibility could also affect property tax revenue collected by local governments and school systems.

A “yes” vote would increase the maximum acreage eligible for conservation use assessment from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

A “no” vote would leave the current 2,000-acre maximum in place.

Amendment 2: Nonpartisan Elections for Probate Judges

The second proposed amendment would require all probate court judges in Georgia to be elected on a nonpartisan basis.

Georgia already elects several categories of judges without political party labels, including superior court and state court judges, Georgia Supreme Court justices and Georgia Court of Appeals judges.

The amendment would extend that requirement to all probate court judges.

Under a nonpartisan election, candidates' political party affiliations do not appear on the ballot. Supporters may argue that judicial races should focus on qualifications, experience and the administration of the law rather than political party affiliation. Others may believe party labels provide voters with useful information about candidates.

A “yes” vote would require all Georgia probate court judges to be elected in nonpartisan elections.

A “no” vote would reject the proposed constitutional requirement.

Amendment 3: Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund

The third proposed amendment would authorize the Georgia General Assembly to create the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund.

The amendment would allow lawmakers to dedicate certain existing revenues, including revenues reallocated by law, to a nonlapsing fund used exclusively for the expansion, maintenance and operation of emergency 911 systems throughout Georgia.

Next Generation 911 refers to the modernization of emergency communications systems to take advantage of newer digital and internet-based technology. The broader transition is intended to improve the ability of emergency communications centers to handle the ways people now communicate, including data and multimedia capabilities in addition to traditional voice calls.

The constitutional amendment itself does not establish all of the details of the future system. Instead, it gives the General Assembly constitutional authority to create the fund and determine through state law which revenues would be dedicated to it.

Money deposited into the fund would be required to be used for 911 systems, including the transition to Next Generation 911, and would not lapse at the end of a fiscal year.

A “yes” vote would authorize the General Assembly to create the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund and dedicate certain revenues to the expansion, maintenance and operation of emergency 911 systems.

A “no” vote would reject that constitutional authorization.

Know Before You Vote

These three questions may appear near the end of the ballot, but their placement should not diminish their importance.

One addresses how thousands of acres of Georgia farmland and timberland may be taxed. Another determines whether political party labels should play a role in elections for probate court judges. The third addresses how Georgia may fund the modernization and operation of the emergency 911 system.

The Courier Eco Latino’s goal is not to tell voters how to vote. Our goal is to make sure voters understand what they are voting on.

Democracy works best when voters are informed.

Before casting your ballot, read the amendments. Understand what a “yes” vote will do. Understand what a “no” vote will do. Then make the decision you believe is best for your family, your community and the future of Georgia.

Be informed. Be engaged. And most importantly, make your voice count on Nov. 3.