Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 2018 Newsletter

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November Ballot: Constitutional Amendments and Referenda

In addition to electing candidates for various offices, voters will answer “yes” or “no” on seven or eight questions on the November ballot. All ballots contain five proposed constitutional amendments and two statewide referenda questions. However, some voters may be asked an eighth question. Their answers will determine whether local retail liquor sales should start an hour earlier on Sunday. The amendments and referenda are on the ballot in the following order:

Amendment 1 creates the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act to govern the conservation of land and water. If it passes, up to 80 percent of sales taxes collected on the sale of sporting goods must be dedicated to land conservation, regardless of other critical needs. Legislators already have the authority to allocate such funds via the annual budget. Vote NO

Amendment 2 creates, as part of the superior court, a state-wide business court with judges appointed and reappointed by the governor. Regulations would be legislated in the future. Locally elected judges would serve with more accountability. Vote NO

Amendment 3 changes the assessment and taxation of “forest land conservation use property” by requiring each tract to be “at least 200 acres in aggregate” in one or two counties with at least 100 acres within a county. Would imminent domain condemnations be used to acquire the 200 acres? How would this affect the conservation of smaller tracts? Vote NO

Amendment 4 authorizes victims of crimes to request a court notification when the defendant in the case is released or escapes from prison. Also, victims would be assured a right to speak at scheduled proceedings. Vote YES

Amendment 5 in locales that contain independent or combination school districts voters could direct full-time equivalent funding to the school attended by the student. Vote YES

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October 26, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Tuesday, Last Day to Vote

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 26, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

A week from next Tuesday is Election Day, the last day you can vote in this year’s General Election.  Each ballot in every district contains the names of candidates for state offices and local offices, as well as seven or eight very important questions voters should answer.

The first five questions ask voters whether the State Constitution should have five new amendments.  The two referenda questions concern homestead exemption in multi-county municipalities and tax exemption on nonprofit homes for the mentally disabled.  I’ll vote NO on the first three amendments and YES on the last two amendments and both referenda questions.

Those are important questions that affect us statewide, but some voters will decide whether liquor sales should begin an hour earlier on Sunday.

Since voters will determine local and state politics by electing representatives and senators to the Georgia General Assembly, it’s important to know the names of candidates who expect your vote.  If the two candidates seem to have the same values, comparing political party platforms is the best way to determine whose values more closely align with your personal values. Continue reading →

October 19, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Do-Over Election December 4

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 19, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On September 18th, Banks County Superior Court Judge Sweat invalidated the May 22nd Primary Election in House District 28, that includes three counties – Stephens, Banks, and Habersham.  He ruled that a do-over election is necessary to correct inadvertent mistakes made by election officials in that district.  Meaning, voters who participate in the December 4th election will decide who represents House District 28 during the 2019-2020 term.

Background: The incumbent, Representative Dan Gasaway, ran for re-election in District 28, but lost by 67 votes in the Primary.  Soon after the election, Mrs. Gasaway learned that a co-worker who lives in House District 28would have voted for Representative Gasaway, but his name was not on her ballot.

Incumbent Gasaway filed a lawsuit after learning that the co-worker was not the only voter who cast wrong ballots in House Districts 28 and 10.  Seventy-two people in Habersham County and two people in Stephens County voted on wrong ballots, but Banks County had no contested votes.  Continue reading →

October 12, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Do-Over Election December 4

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, October 12, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On September 18th, Banks County Superior Court Judge Sweat invalidated the May 22ndPrimary Election in House District 28, that includes three counties – Stephens, Banks, and Habersham. He ruled that a do-over election is necessary to correct inadvertent errors made by election officials in that district. Meaning, voters who participate in the December 4thelection will decide who represents House District 28 during the 2019-2020 term.

Background: The incumbent, Representative Dan Gasaway, ran for re-election in District 28, but lost the Primary in May by 67 votes. Soon after the election, Mrs. Gasaway learned that a co-worker who lives in House District 28would have voted for Representative Gasaway, but his name was not on her ballot.

When the situation was investigated, Representative Gasaway learned that incorrect ballots had been cast by residents living along the border between House Districts 28 and 10. He learned that 72 people in Habersham County had voted on wrong ballots, as did two people in Stephens County, but Banks County had no contested votes. Continue reading →