Georgia voters approved two proposed amendments to the state Constitution while overwhelmingly rejecting a third during Tuesday’s general election.
Amendment One, which increases the maximum acreage eligible for conservation-use property tax assessment, passed with 53.84 percent of the vote. Opponents accounted for 46.16 percent.
The amendment increases the maximum amount of land eligible for the state’s bona fide conservation use program from 2,000 to 4,000 acres. The program allows qualifying property owners to enter into a 10-year agreement to use their land for agricultural production, timber management or wildlife preservation in exchange for a reduced property tax assessment.
Supporters argued the change would help preserve farmland and protect family farming operations as they grow. Opponents raised concerns that the expanded tax benefits could reduce local tax revenue, potentially shifting more of the tax burden to other property owners.
Amendment Two received stronger support, passing with 68.31 percent voting yes and 31.69 percent voting no.
The measure requires all probate court judges in Georgia’s 159 counties to be elected through nonpartisan elections, eliminating party affiliation from those races.
Probate court judges oversee matters involving wills and estates, guardianships, licenses and other legal and administrative responsibilities. Election practices have varied among Georgia counties, with some holding partisan elections and others using nonpartisan contests.
Amendment Three, which would authorize the creation of the Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund, was rejected by voters. The measure received 22.23 percent support, while 77.77 percent voted against it.
The proposed amendment would have given the Georgia General Assembly constitutional authority to establish a dedicated fund for the state’s next-generation 9-1-1 system.
Supporters said the measure was needed to provide dedicated funding for improvements to Georgia’s emergency communications system. Opponents questioned the wording, arguing that the amendment authorized lawmakers to set aside money but did not require them to do so.
With the results, Georgia voters have approved expanding conservation-use property eligibility and establishing nonpartisan elections for all probate court judges, while rejecting the proposed constitutional authorization for a dedicated Next Generation 9-1-1 fund.