Georgia surpassed 2020 voter turnout in a record-breaking election with over 5.2 million casted votes. While all eyes were on the Presidential race, Georgians also went to the polls to make key decisions on local races and ballot measures.
Republicans kept control of the Georgia General assembly. With the retirements of House Minority Leader James Beverly (HD 143) and Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler (SD 55), democrat lawmakers will elect new leaders next year.
Gwinnett County had a handful of House and Senate seats that were closely watched. State Sen. Shawn Still, along with State Reps Scott Hilton, Matt Reeves, and Jasmine Clark held on to their seats, but incumbent Farooq Mughal appears to have been unseated by republican challenger Sandy Donatucci.
Democrat incumbents comfortably won re-election in Gwinnett County races.
Voters in the proposed City of Mulberry in northeast Gwinnett voted on City Council Members after passing a cityhood referendum during the May primaries. Of the five city council races, only district 5 heads to a December 3 runoff between Doug Ingram and Michele Y. Sims.
There were two constitutional amendments and a statewide referendum on the ballot. All three passed. Amendment 1 would cap the increase in the assessed value of homesteads to the rate of inflation from the previous year. Local governments could opt out if they pass a resolution and hold two public hearings by March 2025. Amendment 2 would streamline the tax litigation appeals process. The statewide referendum would increase the exemption from property taxes on all tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000.
Gwinnett voters rejected the Transit SPLOST referendum, a measure that would have allocated a one percent sales tax to fund up to 75 transit expansion projects throughout the county, including 100% countywide coverage of micro-transit, synchronized smart traffic signals, and improved bus routes to ease congestion and offer mobility options.
Gwinnett will have four Members of the U.S. House of Representatives beginning next year: Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA 04), Andrew Clyde (GA 09), Mike Collins (GA 10) and David Scott (GA 13). Congresswoman Lucy McBath, who currently represents Georgia’s 7th District, ran for and won her election for District 6. Congressman Rich McCormick, who currently represents Georgia’s 6th District, ran for and won his election for District 7.
To view the full results of the Gwinnett races in the 2024 General Election, visit https://gwinnettchamber.org/2024-elections/. To view the full results in Georgia, click here.