- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county

Georgia

2024 Georgia General Elections

2024 Georgia General Election Runoff

Taxes

Public Transportation

Public Services

Economy

Education

Public Safety

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

County Commissioner

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. The Board of Education is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.

Part of the board that governs your county's public school system

Teacher Pay

College & Career Readiness

Access to Education

School Curriculum

School Facilities & Resources

Student Wellbeing

Teachers

County Board of Education Member

Tax Commissioners are elected at the county level, and their job is to oversee most phases of the taxing process. These responsibilities include billing, collecting, processing, and distributing taxes. They are generally in charge of property taxes, solid waste fees, public utilities, and renewing your vehicle tag. Notably, the Tax Commissioner does not determine how much taxes you pay. Because taxes are a source of revenue for counties, the tax commissioners’ work is ultimately beneficial to individual cities, education, transportation, and other local services. In addition to administering tax laws, the department is responsible for enforcing laws and  regulations pertaining to the control of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Georgia as well as motor vehicle license plate and title administration.

Oversees the taxing process in the county

Newton

Administration

Tax Commissioner

- A District Attorney is the person who represents the government in the prosecution of all felony criminal cases and the misdemeanors connected to felonies. 
- They review police arrest reports, build cases against arrested individuals, and ultimately are responsible for prosecuting and making the case against these individuals. 
- They also have the discretion of whether or not to bring charges against arrested people, whether or not to seek jail time, or whether or not to send individuals to pre-trial diversion programs. District Attorneys handle the most critical cases in their district, including internal investigations of law enforcement officers.
- District Attorneys do not work alone. They also supervise other attorneys, called Deputy District Attorneys or Assistant District Attorneys.
- There are 49 District Attorneys In Georgia, each representing the judicial circuit in which they get elected. Since 1968, the office has been a full-time elected position whose incumbent could not engage in the private practice of law. District Attorneys are part of the judicial branch of the Georgia state government.

Acts as the attorney for the state of Georgia in felony cases

Northern

Criminal Justice

Legal Experience

Consumer Protection

District Attorney

Ocmulgee

Oconee

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. The Board of Education is entirely independent from the rest of the county government.
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and appoint the superintendent to run the schools day to day.
- In addition to the typical responsibilities of a Board of Education Member, Board of Education Chairs also oversee meetings, moderate board panels, and make sure progress is made toward the Board’s overall goals.
- Board of Education members are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.

Head of the board that governs your county's public school system

Board of Education Chair

The Superior Court Clerk is the official record keeper and legal administrator of the county, as they are responsible for receiving and maintaining criminal and civil court filings. They also manage the county’s land and property records. Their duties are numerous and include administrative tasks, like accounting and administering oaths, and judicial, like maintaining legal records. They can also potentially fill in for other roles, such as State Court Clerk and Passport Acceptance Agents.

Official record keeper and administrator of the county

Budget

Judicial Administration

Clerk of Superior Court

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.

2024 Georgia candidates

Newton County Commissioner, District 5

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Newton County Board of Education Member, District 4

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Newton Tax Commissioner

1 candidate

Newton County Commissioner, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia District Attorney, Northern

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Georgia District Attorney, Ocmulgee

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Oconee County Board of Education Member

2 candidates

How this impacts you

Oconee Board of Education Chair

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Oconee Clerk of Superior Court

2 candidates

Oconee County Sheriff

2 candidates