Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2nd

Voters across Cobb County will make their way to their assigned voting precincts on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd to cast their votes for their municipal candidates of choice. Incumbents, challengers, and first-time candidates have spent months telling voters why they are the best choice for Mayor, Council persons, and school board members. Cities in South Cobb casting votes for these offices include Austell, Marietta, and Powder Springs, while the city of Smyrna does not have municipal races occurring this year. 

If you are unsure of your voting location, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office for information at https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do. 

All voters, including those in unincorporated areas in Cobb County, will go to the polls to vote on a single matter on the ballot, the penny option sales tax, also known as the Cobb Education SPLOST VI. This is the continuation of a 1% sales tax for school construction, maintenance and technology which will be collected from 2024-2029. 

A current sales tax is still in place in Cobb, which is the reason many have said they will not vote yes for this one. They point to being asked to support something that is nearly three years into the future that will bind citizens to the year 2029 in 2021. They suggest there is no urgency for the vote and that it could occur in 2022 or 2023. 

Other voters in South Cobb continue to raise concerns on how the past SPLOST dollars have been spent and where. Many point to a lack of spending occurring in South Cobb after being promised equity in exchange for past support. They say backers of the tax need to open their books and show them where the money has gone. Until they do so, they will not support the new tax and urge others to say no.

A school sales tax referendum question is also on the ballot for voters in the City of Marietta as they are being asked to approve $71.5 million. 

Marietta voters have a contested mayor’s race to decide as incumbent Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin is seeking a fourth term but is being challenged by city Council member Michelle Cooper Kelly. 

If you forgot to mail your absentee ballot back in, do not mail it now. To ensure that your vote counts, hand-deliver it to the main elections’ office located at 736 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta, GA 30064, or call the Main Office at 770-528-2581 for information.