Georgia Voters to Decide Three Constitutional Amendments on Nov. 3: Farm Taxes, Judge Elections and 911 Upgrades
Georgia voters will decide three constitutional amendments in the Nov. 3 midterm election, covering conservation-use farm tax breaks, probate judge elections and funding for next-generation 911 systems. Early voting in Georgia ends Oct. 30.
The first amendment would raise the acreage cap for large farms and timberland in the conservation-use program, which lets qualifying land be taxed at a lower rate. Supporters say it eases costs for family farms; opponents note industrial-scale farms would benefit too. The second amendment would remove party labels from probate judge races. Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie said the office is generally seen as less political than other judicial posts, which is why supporters favor nonpartisan ballots, while critics argue removing labels leaves voters with less information. The third proposal authorizes the state to set aside funding for 'next-generation 911' to replace aging emergency-response infrastructure. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency says 88 percent of the state's 911 centers still use outdated systems; upgrades would improve location tracking and let residents reach responders by text, photo and video, not just by phone.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons 授权图（佐治亚州议会大厦西立面；作者 DXR，CC BY-SA 4.0）
