Miscellaneous Election Information
Q. When will the next election be held in the City of Atlanta?
A. The next City of Atlanta General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at all of the regular precincts and polling places within the City, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
If necessary, a General Run-off Election will be held on Tuesday December 1, at all of the required regular precincts and polling places within the City, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Q. What are the elected offices in the City of Atlanta; and how many persons may be elected to each office?
A. The elected offices in the City of Atlanta and the number of persons elected to each office are as follows:
Mayor (1)
City Council President (1)
City Council Member Post 1 At-Large (1)
City Council Member Post 2 At-Large (1)
City Council Member Post 3 At-Large (1)
City Council Member District 1 (1)
City Council Member District 2 (1)
City Council Member District 3 (1)
City Council Member District 4 (1)
City Council Member District 5 (1)
City Council Member District 6 (1)
City Council Member District 7 (1)
City Council Member District 8 (1)
City Council Member District 9 (1)
City Council Member District 10 (1)
City Council Member District 11 (1)
City Council Member District 12 (1)
Board of Education Member District 1 (1)
Board of Education Member District 2 (1)
Board of Education Member District 3 (1)
Board of Education Member District 4 (1)
Board of Education Member District 5 (1)
Board of Education Member District 6 (1)
Board of Education Member At-Large Seat 7 (1)
Board of Education Member At-Large Seat 8 (1)
Board of Education Member At-Large Seat 9 (1)
Municipal Court Judge (?)
The office of Municipal Court Judge is not open for candidate opposition; voters must vote yes or no to the question of whether or not to retain each individual judge. The number of judges who will be on the ballot is determined by how many of the eleven (11) current sitting judges submit notification to the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent within teh designated time frame that he/she intends to run for another term of offfice.
Election to the offices of Mayor, Council President, At-Large City Council Member, At-Large Board of Education Member and retention of Municipal Court Judges are decided by all voters city-wide. Election to the offices of City Council District Member and Board of Education District Member are decided by voters within each geographic council or board of education voting district.
Q. Are the City of Atlanta elections partisan or non-partisan?
A. All City of Atlanta elections are non-partisan.
Q. What are the terms of office of elected officials in the City of Atlanta?
A. The term of office of elected officials ( elected in a General Election) is four (4) years. Any person elected in a Special Election to fill a vacancy, or otherwise appointed by law will face re-election at the next General Election if he/she desires to retain a seat.
Q. Do the City of Atlanta's elected officials have staggered terms?
A. There are no staggered terms of office in the City of Atlanta. All offices are elected for four-year concurrent terms.
Campaign Guidelines
Q. What are the general regulations regarding campaign signs and billboards?
A. The following links to various sections of the Atlanta City Code (A.C.C) provide detailed information regarding signage ie. size limitations, placement, removal, enforcement, penalties etc.
Q. What rules or laws must be followed by candidates and their supporters on Election Day?
A. A “Candidates Packet” which will provide this and other pertinent information will be mailed to each official candidate by the Election Superintendent (Fulton County Director of Registrations and Elections) two weeks after certification as a candidate.
Candidate Information
- Candidate Qualifications and Residency Requirements
Q. Are incumbents seeking re-election and newly established candidates expected to meet the same requirements?
A. Yes. Incumbent candidates and newly established candidates are expected to meet all of the same requirements, except that a newly filed Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions is not required of a public officer running for the same public office that he/she currently holds.
Q. What qualifications must an individual have to seek office?
A. An individual, including an incumbent seeking re-election, must possess the following qualifications for the office he/she is seeking:
Mayor
City Council President
City Council Member
Board of Education Member
Municipal Court Judge
Q. Are there any particular residency requirements to seek office?
A. Yes, all candidates for election and judges seeking retention are required to live within Atlanta’s city limits. Specifically:
- All candidates for Mayor and Council President are required to live anywhere within Atlanta’s city limits for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for City Council District Member (Districts 1 through 12) and Board of Education District Member (Districts 1 through 6) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the specific Council or Board of Education District that they are seeking election to, for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large City Council Member (Post 1) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Council District 1, 2, 3 or 4 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large City Council Member (Post 2) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Council District 5, 6, 7 or 8 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large City Council Member (Post 3) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Council District 9, 10, 11 or 12 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large Board of Education Member (Seat 7) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Board District 1 or 2 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large Board of Education Member (Seat 8) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Board District 3 or 4 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
- All candidates for At-Large Board of Education Member (Seat 9) are required to live within the geographic boundaries of Board District 5 or 6 for at least one year before the date the individual candidate qualifies to seek office.
Candidate Procedures
Q. What is the first step that an individual should take in becoming a candidate for election?
A. An individual should certainly find out if he/she meets all of the qualifications including residency requirements necessary to become a candidate and to subsequently hold office. As our elected officials are representatives of the people, it is important to interface with fellow citizens and learn the concerns and needs of the community. Additionally a prospective candidate should familiarize him/herself with the State of Georgia Election Code, the State (Georgia) Ethics in Government Act, and the respective City of Atlanta or Board of Education Charter.
If an individual intends to accept campaign contributions in support of candidacy, the first official step is to file a Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions with the Municipal Clerk and a Registration Form for a Campaign Committee for Use by Candidate with the State Ethics Commission (if such a committee has been formed). Thereafter, a candidate must file each required report of campaign contributions/expenditures and personal finances, and complete the official qualifying process including payment of qualifying fee or filing as a pauper during the qualifying period of August 31 through September 4, 2009. Persons interested in Write-in Candidacy must complete various requirements by September 16, 2009. Details of each of these processes follow in subsequent questions and answers.
Q. How does an individual become an official candidate for election?
A. An individual, including an incumbent seeking re-election, must:
(1) Meet the qualifications for the office sought as specified in the respective City Charter or Board of Education Charter.
and
(2) File, with the Municipal Clerk/ Election Superintendent during the qualifying period of August 31 through September 4, 2009, a Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit accompanied by the applicable qualifying fee for the office sought or an Affidavit to Qualify in Forma Pauperis ( a paupers affidavit) accompanied by a sufficient Qualifying Petition for Filing as a Pauper.
or
(3) File with the Municipal Clerk/ Election Superintendent and publish a Notice of Intention to be a Write-in Candidate in the Fulton County Daily Report by September 11, 2009, and subsequently submit an affidavit of publication to the Municipal Election Superintendent by September 16, 2009.
Q. Where and when can a candidate for election “qualify” to run for office?
A. A candidate, hereinafter including an incumbent who is seeking re-election, must qualify to run for office at Atlanta City Hall, Second Floor; 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Monday August 31, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 2, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday September 3, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday September 4, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Q. Is there a qualifying fee assessed candidates for election?
A. The assessed qualifying fee for each office is as follows:
Mayor: $4,425.00
City Council President: $1,230.00
City Council Member $1,184.19
Board of Education Member $ 444.00
The fees noted above represent 3% of the annual salary of each office during the current term.
Q. What if the candidate can’t afford to pay the qualifying fee?
A. A candidate that cannot afford to pay the qualifying fee may file an Affidavit to Qualify in Forma Pauperis ( a paupers affidavit) affirming under oath his or her poverty or inability to pay the qualifying fee accompanied by a sufficient Qualifying Petition for Filing as a Pauper as required by O.C.G.A. Sections 21-2-132(g) and 21-2-132(h).
Candidates – Who Are They?
Q. Who are the candidates running for office in the City of Atlanta’s November 3, 2009 General Election?
A. (See Certfied Lists Below)
Certified List of Candidates for Election to Appear on the City of Atlanta November 3, 2009 General Election Ballot – List submitted by the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent to the Election Superintendent (Fulton County Director of Registration and Elections) certifying qualified candidates who filed a Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit during the designated qualifying period of August 31 through September 4, 2009.
Certified List of Judges for Retention to Appear on the City of Atlanta November 3, 2009 General Election Ballot – List submitted by the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent to the Election Superintendent (Fulton County Director of Registration and Elections) certifying Municipal Court Judges who, pursuant to City Charter Section 4-107, duly filed with the Municipal Clerk his/her declaration of intent to seek retention for another term of office during the designated filing period between August 5, 2009 and September 4, 2009.
Certified List of Write - In Candidates for Election in the City of Atlanta November 3, 2009 General Election - List submitted by the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent to the Election Superintendent (Fulton County Director of Registration and Elections) certifying qualified write-in candidates who 1) filed with the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent by September 11, 2009; 2) published a Notice of Intention of Write-In Candidacy in the official gazette of the municipality (the Fulton County Report) by September 11, 2009; and 3) subsequently filed an affidavit of such publication with the Municipal Clerk/Election Superintendent by September 16, 2009.
Q. Who are the candidates running for office in the City of Atlanta’s December 1, 2009 General Run-off Election?
A. The answer to this question will not be known until the results of the November 3, 2009 General Election are certified by the Fulton and /or Dekalb County Board(s) of Registration and Elections. If no candidate receives at least 50% plus one (1) vote for any of the offices sought, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes will face a run-off election. Applicable office and respective candidates will then be posted on the website as: Certified List of Candidates to Appear on the City of Atlanta December 1, 2009 General Run-Off Election Ballot.
Finance and Disclosure (all Questions in this regard should be directed to the State Ethics Commission 404 463-1980)
- Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Disclosure
Q. Can a candidate accept money in support of his/her campaign for election?
A. Yes, a candidate can accept money in support of his/her campaign but only after having filed a Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions with the Municipal Clerk.
Q. Is a candidate required to have a campaign committee?
A. A candidate is not required to have a campaign committee. However, if a candidate does have a campaign committee it must be registered by filing a Registration Form for a Campaign Committee for Use by Candidate with the State Ethics Commission.
Q. How much money can a candidate accept for campaign purposes?
A. There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be accepted in total, however within an election cycle (defined as the day following the last election for the particular office through the day of the next election) no individual, corporation, political committee or political party can contribute more than $2,400 (cash or in-kind services aggregated) to each candidate for the General Election or no more than $1,200 to each candidate for the General Run-off Election.
Q. Are candidates required to separately account for contributions for different elections in a campaign cycle?
A. The “COOSA’, or Choosing Option of Separate Accounting card must be filed prior to accepting contributions for any election other than his/her next upcoming election during the same period (ie accepting Run-off Election contributions prior to the General Election). Questions in this regard should be directed to the State Ethics Commission at 404 463-1980.
Q. Is a candidate required to report campaign contributions?
A. Yes, the candidate or the treasurer of each campaign committee shall keep detailed accounts, current within not more than five business days after the date of receiving a contribution or making an expenditure, of all contributions received and all expenditures made by or on behalf of the candidate or committee. Additionally, such information must be publically disclosed on Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports filed with the Municipal Clerk at designated intervals.
Q. Is a candidate required to file a campaign disclosure report, even if no funds have been accepted or spent?
A. Yes, once candidacy is declared, either through filing a Declaration of Intention to Accept Campaign Contributions with the designated filing officer (the Municipal Clerk) or upon qualifying as a candidate during the designated qualifying period, there is a requirement that each candidate files a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report with the designated filing officer (the Municipal Clerk) at designated intervals, whether funds have been accepted or not.
Q. Can a candidate finance his or her own campaign with personal funds?
A. Yes, a candidate can, in entirety or in part, finance his or her own campaign with personal funds. However, such financing must be disclosed by filing a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report with the Municipal Clerk at designated intervals. Questions in this regard should be directed to the State Ethics Commission at 404 463-1980.
Q. Are non-candidate campaign committees (PACs or Independent Committees) that support a candidate required to register and/or report their activities?
A. Any committee, club, association, partnership, corporation, labor union, or other group of persons, other than a campaign committee, which receives donations during a calendar year from persons who are members or supporters of the committee and which expends such funds either for the purpose of affecting the outcome of an election for any elected office or to advocate the election or defeat of any particular candidate must register as an independent committee with the State Ethics Commission by filing a Registration Form for a Campaign Committee other than a Candidate Committee prior to engaging in such activities. Any committee, club, association, partnership, corporation, labor union, or other group of persons (other than an independent committee), which receives donations during a calendar year from persons who are members or supporters of the committee and which contributes funds to one or more candidates for public office or campaign committees must register as a Political Action Committee with the State Ethics Commission if it exceeds $25,000 in aggregate contributions and expenditures to or on behalf of candidates in one calendar year.
Such entities must also file a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report on the same schedule as the candidate they are supporting files (A PAC that is not required to register is not required to file Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports). The State Ethics Commission should be contacted at 404 463-1980 for guidance in this area.
Q. How are campaign disclosure reports to be filed?
A. All candidates must file a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report with the Municipal Clerk by designated dates.
Candidates who have received $10,000 or more in an election cycle (defined as the day following the last election for the particular office sought through the day of the next election) must electronically file such report.
Candidates who have not reached the $10,000 threshold may either electronically file or file such report in hard copy format.
Non-candidate campaign committees (PACs or Independent Committees) that support a candidate must file the Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report at the same places and at the same times as the candidates they are supporting.
Q. When are campaign disclosure reports due?
A. In this election year, State of Georgia Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports are due from all General Election candidates (after having declared candidacy) on:
March 31, 2009
June 30, 2009
September 30, 2009
October 25, 2009
December 31, 2009
In addition, reports are due from candidates who face a December 1, 2009 Run-off Election on:
November 25, 2009
Note that non-candidate campaign committees (PACS or Independent Committees) that support a candidate must file Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports at the same places and at the same times as the candidates they are supporting.
A grace period of five (5) business days is allowed before a penalty for non-filing or late- filing is assessed by the State Ethics Commission; except for the run-off election required filing that allows for a grace period of only two (2) business days.
Q. Where must candidates, their campaign committees or non-candidate committees file the required state of Georgia Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report?
A. Electronic reports are to be filed with the Municipal Clerk via e-mail to: municipalclerk@atlantaga.gov
As of May 5, 2009, any electronic submission of a report constitutes an affirmation that the report is true, complete, and correct, and the filing of a separate affidavit is no longer required.
Signed and notarized hard-copy reports are to be filed with the Municipal Clerk at:
Office of the Municipal Clerk
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2700
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
- Personal Financial Disclosure
Q. Is reporting of personal financial information required of candidates?
A. Each candidate for election/judge for retention must file with the Municipal Clerk a Financial Disclosure Statement for the preceding calendar year which provides personal financial information no later than fifteen (15 days) following the date that he/she qualified to run for office or filed a declaration of intent to retain office.
Note: Current elected officials who are not seeking re-election or seeking election to another office are not required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement (State of Georgia) in the year qualifying to succeed him/her takes place.
Statements are to be hand-delivered or mailed to the following location:
Office of the Municipal Clerk
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2700
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
or sent via e-mail to:
municipalclerk@atlantaga.gov
There is no grace period allowed in filing this report.
Retention of Judges
Q. How are the Municipal Court Judges re-elected?
A. Municipal Court Judges, initially appointed by the Mayor, are re-elected by the retention method also referred to as Missouri Plan. This means that city of Atlanta Judges do not face candidate opposition but instead a question is presented to city-wide voters asking whether or not the voter wants to retain each Municipal Court Judge who has been in office for one year or more.
Q. What Municipal Court Judges will be presented on the ballot for retention?
A. The City Charter requires that each judge who seeks retention for another term of office send a notice of such to the Municipal Clerk not more than 90 days nor less than 60 days prior to each Municipal General Election. The final list of Judges who will be included on the ballot can be found at Certified List of Judges for Retention to Appear on the City of Atlanta November 3, 2009 General Election Ballot.
Voter Information
Q. Who can vote in this election?
A. All individuals who are registered to vote in the City of Atlanta by October 5, 2009 can vote in the November 3, 2009 General Election and in any required General Run-off Election. You may register to vote at the Voter Registration Office in the county of your residence.
- Absentee/ Early Voting/ Advance Voting
Q. What if I will be absent from or otherwise unable to vote at my regular polling location on Election Day?
A. Voters in Georgia no longer need a reason to vote absentee or early prior to Election Day. Within the 21 day period occurring immediately before the November 3, 2009 Municipal General Election, any elector (voter) may vote by absentee ballot through the mail, or in person at designated locations during the early or advance voting periods.
Q. What is the difference between Absentee, Early and Advance Voting?
A. All voting that occurs before Election Day, is technically absentee voting. The three terms are used to indicate variation in the method or time of voting. It is simplest to think of “absentee” voting as voting by mail. “Early” and “advance” voting are both conducted in person. “Early Voting” and “Advance Voting” are essentially the same, as each voting opportunity involves an identical process. The only distinctions are that hours are extended and there are additional voting locations during “Advance Voting”.
Q. How do I vote “absentee” by mail?
A. City of Atlanta voters who wish to vote absentee by mail should simply:
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DEKALB COUNTY
DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Decatur, Georgia 30032
Fax:(404)298-4038
* Questions? Please call (404) 298-4020 |
FULTON COUNTY
Fulton County Office of Registration & Elections
141 Pryor Street SW , Suite 4064
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Fax: (404)730-7024
* Questions? Please call (404) 730-7020 |
ABSENTEE/EARLY/ADVANCE VOTING
FOR CITY OF ATLANTA DECEMBER 1, 2009 RUN-OFF ELECTION
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DEKALB COUNTY |
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Early Voting November 18-20, 2009
8:00 AM. to 5:00 PM |
Advance Voting November 23-25, 2009
8:00 AM. to 7:00 PM |
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Dekalb County Voter Registration & Elections
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Decatur, GA 30032 |
Dekalb County Voter Registration & Elections
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300
Decatur GA 30032 |
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FULTON COUNTY |
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Early Voting November 18-20, 2009
8:30 AM. to 5:00 PM |
Advance Voting November 23-25 2009
8:30 AM. to 7:00 PM |
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Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor Street, SW,
Suite 4064
Atlanta GA 30303 |
Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor Street, SW,
Suite 4064
Atlanta, GA 30303 |
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North Fulton Service Center
7741 Roswell Road
Suite 209
Sandy Springs GA 30350 |
North Fulton Service Center
7741 Roswell Road
Suite 209
Sandy Springs GA 30350 |
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South Fulton Government Center
5600 Stonewall Tell Road
Room 105
College Park GA 30349 |
South Fulton Government Center
5600 Stonewall Tell Road
Room 105
College Park GA 30349 |
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Adamsville Recreation Center
3201 M. L. King, Jr. Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311 |
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North Atlanta High School
2875 Northside Drive, N.W.
@ Kingswood Lane)
Atlanta, GA 30305 |
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City of College Park
3667 Main Street
College Park, GA 30337 |