The 2025 election cycle in Georgia presents a unique landscape for voters, moving away from the high-profile gubernatorial or presidential races and focusing instead on critical regulatory roles and local community funding. For the majority of Georgia residents, the Special General Election held on November 4, 2025, serves as the primary date to decide on issues that directly impact utility rates, infrastructure improvements, and local governance.

Understanding what is on your ballot before stepping into the polling booth is essential for an informed democratic process. While ballots vary significantly from one county to another—and even between precincts within the same city—certain statewide races and common local referendums define the 2025 voting experience.

How to Access Your Official Georgia Sample Ballot

Georgia provides a centralized digital portal for all registered voters to view a mock-up of the specific ballot they will encounter on Election Day. This is the most accurate way to prepare, as it accounts for your specific House, Senate, and Commission districts.

The Georgia My Voter Page (MVP) Portal

The Secretary of State’s My Voter Page (MVP) is the primary resource for election information. To access your sample ballot, you are required to enter your first initial, last name, county of residence, and date of birth. Once logged in, the portal provides:

  • A downloadable PDF version of your specific sample ballot.
  • Information on your designated Election Day polling place.
  • A list of early voting locations and their operating hours.
  • The status of any requested absentee ballots.

County Board of Elections Websites

In addition to the state-level portal, many individual counties—such as Rockdale, Bibb, and Gwinnett—post "composite" sample ballots on their official Board of Elections websites. These composite ballots show every possible race and question within the county, which is useful for general research but may contain contests that do not apply to your specific residence.

Statewide Races: The Public Service Commission

One of the most significant components of the 2025 Georgia ballot is the election for the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is a quasi-judicial agency that exerts immense influence over the daily lives of Georgians, as it regulates essential services including telecommunications, electric power, and natural gas.

The 2025 elections for Districts 2 and 3 are particularly noteworthy due to previous legal delays that shifted the normal election cycle.

Public Service Commission District 2

Voters will decide on the representative for District 2, a seat that carries a term ending December 31, 2030. The candidates appearing on the ballot typically include:

  • Tim Echols (Incumbent - Republican): Seeking to maintain his seat on the commission with a focus on energy diversity and utility regulation.
  • Alicia M. Johnson (Democrat): Challenging for the seat with a platform often centered on consumer advocacy and renewable energy transitions.

Public Service Commission District 3

The District 3 race is for a term ending December 31, 2026. This shorter term reflects the specialized nature of the 2025 special election cycle. The candidates include:

  • Fitz Johnson (Incumbent - Republican): The sitting commissioner looking to complete the current term.
  • Peter Hubbard (Democrat): A challenger focused on utility rate structures and consumer protections.
  • Keisha Sean Waites (Democrat): Involved in primary runoff contexts earlier in the cycle, depending on the specific county and primary results.

Understanding Local Tax Measures: SPLOST and E-SPLOST

Beyond candidate races, many Georgians will encounter referendums concerning the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). These are 1% sales taxes used to fund specific capital projects rather than general government operations.

What is a SPLOST Referendum?

A SPLOST must be approved by voters to be enacted. On the 2025 ballot, these measures are often presented as lengthy paragraphs detailing exactly how millions of dollars in tax revenue will be spent over a fixed period (usually five to six years).

Case Study: Bibb County Education SPLOST

In Bibb County, the 2025 ballot includes a proposal for a one percent sales tax for education purposes. The goal is to raise up to $250,000,000 over 20 consecutive calendar quarters. The ballot measure explicitly lists the intended projects:

  • Safety and Security: Implementation of weapons detection systems, X-ray machines, and security camera analytics.
  • Modernization: Significant renovations to Bernd Elementary School and other support facilities.
  • Technology: Updating and modernizing infrastructure to support digital learning.
  • Infrastructure: HVAC upgrades and roofing improvements across the school district.

Case Study: Walker County SPLOST

Walker County voters face a six-year SPLOST extension aimed at raising approximately $69,000,000. The detailed breakdown on the ballot illustrates the community-wide impact:

  • Fire and Public Safety: Over $14 million allocated for fire rescue vehicles, equipment, and station repairs.
  • Public Works: $13 million dedicated to bridge repairs and road infrastructure.
  • City-Specific Projects: Individual allocations for the cities of Chickamauga, Lafayette, Lookout Mountain, Rossville, and Fort Oglethorpe for parks, libraries, and utility upgrades.

Municipal and City Elections

November 4, 2025, also serves as the date for various municipal elections across the state. These races are often non-partisan but are critical for local governance.

City of Conyers and Rockdale County

In Rockdale County, the election is bifurcated. Registered voters living within the city limits of Conyers will see races for:

  • Mayor of Conyers
  • City Council Districts 2 and 3

Conversely, Rockdale County voters residing outside the city limits will only see the statewide PSC races on their ballots. This distinction highlights the importance of checking your specific precinct card before heading to the polls.

How to Properly Mark Your 2025 Ballot

Georgia uses a hybrid voting system involving electronic marking devices that produce a paper record, or in some cases, traditional paper ballots for absentee and provisional voting. Ensuring your vote is counted requires strict adherence to marking instructions.

Marking Instructions

  1. Ink Choice: Always use black or blue ink. Never use red ink or felt-tip pens, as these can interfere with the optical scanners.
  2. Filling Ovals: Completely fill in the empty oval to the left of your choice. Do not use checkmarks, "X" marks, or circles, as the machine may fail to register these as valid votes.
  3. Write-in Candidates: If you wish to vote for someone not listed, you must fill in the oval for the write-in section and clearly write the name in the space provided.

Handling Mistakes (Spoiled Ballots)

If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, do not attempt to erase or cross it out.

  • In-Person: If you make an error at a polling place, inform a poll worker immediately. They will "spoil" the incorrect ballot and provide you with a new one.
  • Absentee: If you spoil an absentee ballot at home, you should write "SPOILED" across the ballot and the envelope and return it to your county board of registrars to request a replacement.

Important Deadlines for the 2025 Georgia Elections

Staying informed means knowing not just what to vote for, but when the windows of opportunity open and close.

  • Voter Registration Deadline: To participate in the November 4, 2025 election, you must be registered by October 6, 2025.
  • Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Requests for absentee ballots by mail must typically be submitted by the end of the second Friday before the election (October 24, 2025).
  • Early Voting Period: Georgia offers robust early voting options. In many counties, this begins in mid-October and includes mandatory Saturday voting days. For example, Rockdale County scheduled early voting from October 14 through October 31, 2025, with extended hours in the final week.

The Significance of the Public Service Commission

While governor and senatorial races often dominate the headlines, the Public Service Commission (PSC) races on the 2025 ballot carry significant weight for every household in Georgia. The commissioners decide:

  1. Utility Rates: They approve or deny rate hike requests from major utility companies.
  2. Energy Mix: They influence how much of Georgia’s energy comes from nuclear, solar, coal, or natural gas.
  3. Infrastructure Investment: They oversee the expansion of broadband and the maintenance of the state's pipeline safety.

For many voters, the choice between the incumbents and challengers represents a choice between continuing the current regulatory trajectory or pivoting toward new consumer and environmental priorities.

Summary of the 2025 Georgia Election Cycle

The 2025 election cycle, while "off-year," is a foundational moment for local communities. From the statewide oversight of the Public Service Commission to the hyper-local impacts of SPLOST taxes in Bibb and Walker counties, the decisions made on November 4 will resonate for years.

By using the Georgia My Voter Page (MVP) portal to review a sample ballot, confirming your registration by the October deadline, and understanding the specific tax measures in your district, you can ensure that your voice is effectively heard.

FAQ: Georgia Sample Ballots 2025

Where can I find my 2025 sample ballot? The most reliable source is the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page (MVP). You can also check your specific County Board of Elections website for composite ballots.

What is the Public Service Commission race about? The PSC regulates utilities like electricity and gas. In 2025, voters in Districts 2 and 3 will choose commissioners who will decide on utility rates and energy policies for the state.

Why is there a sales tax question on my ballot? This is likely a SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) referendum. It asks voters to approve a 1% sales tax to fund local capital projects like schools, roads, and fire stations.

Can I vote in the 2025 election if I just moved to Georgia? Yes, provided you register to vote at your new address at least 30 days before the election (by October 6 for the November election).

What happens if I use a red pen on my ballot? The ballot scanners in Georgia are typically calibrated to read dark blue or black ink. Red ink may not be detected, which could result in your vote not being counted or the ballot being marked as "ambiguous."

Do I need an ID to vote in the 2025 special election? Yes, Georgia law requires a valid photo ID for in-person voting. This can include a Georgia driver’s license, a state-issued ID card, a valid U.S. passport, or a government employee ID.