ATLANTA, Ga. — All three proposed changes to the Georgia Constitution passed on Tuesday, according to unofficial results posted by the secretary of state’s office, in an election that drew more than 4 million voters.
Amendment 1, which squeaked by with the smallest margin of the three, doubles the amount of land that can qualify for the state’s conservation use property tax break. Farmers and timber growers will be able to enroll up to 4,000 acres instead of the old 2,000-acre limit, a change backers pitched as a way to protect family farmland.
Amendment 2 makes probate judge races nonpartisan statewide, so candidates will no longer run under a party label. Probate courts deal with wills and estates and issue marriage and firearms licenses.
Amendment 3, which won by the largest margin, gives the General Assembly constitutional power to set aside existing state revenue in a dedicated fund that can only be spent on emergency 911 systems. Money in the fund would carry over from one budget year to the next instead of going back to the general fund.
The 911 measure does not raise any tax or fee. Lawmakers will decide in future legislation which revenue streams go into the fund. Supporters want the money used to move Georgia to Next Generation 911, which relies on internet-based networks and can send photos, video and other data to dispatch centers.
The idea came from a 2025 Georgia House study committee that looked at how 911 is paid for and recommended a statewide fund so emergency communication dollars are not diverted to other uses.
Section: More Augusta GA politics news
Filed under: Augusta GA Politics News
