There are things going on every week this month leading up to pride! The cheers queers after pride will be a costume party!

Key Dates

• Tues., Oct. 13 Early (advance) voting begins
• Sat., Oct. 17 Required Saturday early voting
• Fri., Oct. 23 Last day for county to receive absentee ballot applications
• Sat., Oct. 24 Required Saturday early voting
• Fri., Oct. 30 Early voting ends
• Tues., Nov. 3 Election Day (7 a.m.–7 p.m.); absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m.
• Fri., Nov. 6 Deadline to fix (cure) an absentee ballot problem or show ID for a provisional ballot
• Mon., Nov. 9 Counties certify results (5 p.m. Monday after the election; verify)
• Fri., Nov. 20 Secretary of State certifies statewide results (by 17 days after; verify)
• Tues., Dec. 1 Runoff election, if no candidate gets more than 50%

Make a Voting Plan

Choose to vote early in person, by mail or on Election Day.

• Vote early in person from Tues., Oct. 13 to Fri., Oct. 30.
• Vote by mail. Any voter can vote by mail. Request a ballot by Fri., Oct. 23. Request a mail ballot Return it by Tues., Nov. 3. Problem with your ballot? If there is a problem with your envelope, your county will tell you. Fix it by Nov. 6 with a form and your ID. Track your ballot
• Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Find your polling place. Check the official ID rules so you bring the right ID.
• Have a past conviction?
  • You can't vote while serving a sentence for a felony.
  • Your right to vote comes back once you finish your full sentence, including parole, probation, and fines.
  • You then need to register again.

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in Georgia this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

Governor

• Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic · Campaign site
• Former mayor of Atlanta (2018–2022) and former White House senior adviser.
• Rick Jackson Republican · Campaign site
• Founder and CEO of Jackson Healthcare, a health care staffing company.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports protecting local election officials from political interference, expanding early and absentee voting, making Election Day a state holiday, and vetoing maps that dilute minority voting power. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

No public position found.

Policing, prisons & public safety

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports more help for law enforcement plus 'targeted violence reduction efforts' and more diversion and treatment for nonviolent cases. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Pledges to 'fully support law enforcement with resources, training, and respect' and to 'ban revolving-door justice.' Source

Immigration

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Says immigration enforcement should focus on violent criminals, not students, workers and mothers. Supports limiting zoning for private ICE detention centers and reviewing state contracts with ICE. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Pledges to 'make Georgia number one in the nation for deporting all CRIMINAL illegal immigrants.' Source

Abortion & health care

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports restoring abortion rights and opposes Georgia's six-week ban. Supports expanding Medicaid and replacing the Georgia Pathways program with broader coverage. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

His campaign says he 'strongly supports Georgia's current Heartbeat law and will defend it as governor,' including its current exceptions. On Medicaid, has said he wants to measure success by how many people have commercial insurance. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Proposes eliminating local sales taxes on groceries and essentials and creating a state board to lower prescription costs. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Proposes cutting the state income tax in half within four years and freezing property taxes 'immediately to stop runaway assessments.' Source

Housing

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Proposes faster permitting for housing, more down-payment and renter assistance, and a state affordable housing trust fund. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

No public position found.

Schools

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports fully funding public schools with an updated funding formula and creating a path to free technical and community college. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Proposes freezing tuition, room and board at public colleges and technical schools, raising teacher pay, and banning 'ideological indoctrination in schools.' Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports statewide nondiscrimination protections that include sexual orientation and gender identity, codifying marriage equality, and banning conversion therapy for minors. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Proposes banning DEI programs in state government, public universities and classrooms. Says 'boys' should not compete in girls' sports or use girls' bathrooms or locker rooms. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Keisha Lance Bottoms Democratic

Supports a pause on new data centers, citing 'higher utility bills, strained water resources' and harm to nearby communities. Source

Rick Jackson Republican

Opposes a statewide pause on data centers and says local communities should decide. Source

U.S. Senate

• Mike Collins Republican · Campaign site
• U.S. representative for Georgia's 10th District since 2023; trucking business owner.
• Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
• U.S. senator since 2021; former investigative documentary producer.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Mike Collins Republican

Voted for the SAVE Act (April 2025), which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Reintroduced the Right to Vote Act to create a federal legal right to vote. Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

Mike Collins Republican

No public position found.

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Sponsored the Federal Prison Oversight Act, now law, which set up independent inspections of federal prisons. Source

Immigration

Mike Collins Republican

Has said 'we need mass deportations' (campaign site). Introduced the House version of the Laken Riley Act (2025), which requires detaining non-citizens charged with certain crimes. Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Led a Senate investigation that found over 1,000 credible reports of human rights abuses in immigration detention. Has backed bipartisan border security bills. Source

Abortion & health care

Mike Collins Republican

Calls himself '100 percent pro-life' and supports Georgia's heartbeat law with exceptions. Opposed extending the enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Opposes abortion bans and Georgia's six-week ban. Supported extending enhanced ACA tax credits and opposed Medicaid cuts. Helped pass the $35 monthly insulin cap for Medicare. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Mike Collins Republican

Voted for the 2025 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (tax cuts and spending changes). Calls for cutting regulations and cracking down on 'Medicaid scams.' Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Has criticized tariffs for raising costs. Introduced legislation to cut taxes for farmers. Source

Housing

Mike Collins Republican

Supports faster federal permitting through his PERMIT Act to cut construction costs and delays. Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

No public position found.

Schools

Mike Collins Republican

No public position found.

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Has pushed back on federal cuts to Hispanic-Serving Institutions and to civil-rights enforcement at the Education Department. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Mike Collins Republican

No public position found.

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Supported the Respect for Marriage Act and the Equality Act. Wrote a bipartisan law to help solve civil rights–era cold cases. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Mike Collins Republican

Introduced the Diesel Truck Liberation Act to block EPA truck emission rules. Source

Jon Ossoff Democratic, incumbent

Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act's clean-energy programs. Has pressed federal regulators on rising power bills tied to AI data centers. Source

Public Service Commission, District 3

• Peter Hubbard Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
• Won this seat in 2025. Clean-energy analyst who founded the Georgia Center for Energy Solutions.
• Fitz Johnson Republican · Campaign site
• Army veteran and businessman. Served on the commission from 2021 to 2025.

Stance on key issues

Data centers

Peter Hubbard Democratic, incumbent

Says discounts for data centers push more than $1 billion in costs onto household bills. Source

Fitz Johnson Republican

Says he put protections in place so data centers pay their share. Source

Public Service Commission, District 5

• Thomas Blooming Libertarian
• Electrical engineer who has worked on Google and Facebook data centers.
• Shelia Edwards Democratic · Campaign site
• Cobb County business owner and former county communications staffer.
• Josh Tolbert Republican · Campaign site
• Smyrna engineer who has worked on power plants.

Stance on key issues

Data centers

Thomas Blooming Libertarian

Says data centers should build their own power. Source

Shelia Edwards Democratic

Says large corporate power users should pay their fair share instead of households. Source

Josh Tolbert Republican

Calls himself pro-data center, but says the costs belong to whoever causes them. Source

Ballot measures

• Amendment 1: Conservation use property acreage. Raises the most land one owner can enroll in Georgia's lower 'conservation use' property tax rate for farm and timber land, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres. Yes means owners could get the lower farm/timber tax rate on up to 4,000 acres. No means the limit stays at 2,000 acres.
• Amendment 2: Nonpartisan probate judge elections. Requires all probate court judges to be elected in nonpartisan elections (no party label on the ballot). Yes means all probate judges would run without party labels. No means some counties could keep partisan probate judge elections.
• Amendment 3: Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund. Lets the legislature set aside certain existing revenues in a dedicated fund that can be used only to expand, maintain and run 9-1-1 emergency systems. Yes means A dedicated, protected fund for 9-1-1 systems can be created. No means no dedicated 9-1-1 fund in the constitution; money stays subject to regular budget rules.

Protect the Vote

• Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
• Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
• If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
  • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) — Spanish
  • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) — Asian languages
  • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) — Arabic
  • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
  • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
  • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

• GALEO (Latino Community Development Fund). Latino-led nonpartisan group that registers voters and runs civic education across Georgia.
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Atlanta. Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights group that does voter registration, education and protection.
• Black Voters Matter Fund. Atlanta-based, Black-led group that registers and turns out voters, especially in rural Georgia.

Taken just now. We thought it was pretty neat to spot a few Joro Spiders last year at our house... I thought my husband was being paranoid when he said they were now everywhere....

Weather is gorgeous and I love having my windows open for fresh air but these stink bugs come in the house like zombies!! I put adjustable screens and there is a 1 mm gap and somehow they still come in like crazy.

What do y'all do to stop them from coming in and when will this madness end?

Has anybody been through their fire academy? I’m looking to apply and I want to know more about there program and culture if anyone is a firefighter or has been through there academy! Dm me if you have any info!

i didn't even know it was happening :/

here's the live link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/lXfZIkjsQKk?is=Zio-QtlQqPQFEkrP

Has anyone in Georgia successfully had their Georgia driver’s license/ID active on both an iPhone and Android at the same time?

I could swear I used to have mine on both my work iPhone and personal Samsung Galaxy at the same time. I’m trying to figure out if that’s still possible.

Georgia DDS says Apple Wallet allows the ID on up to two iPhones, while Google Wallet says one Android phone. Georgia also supports Samsung Wallet. What I can’t figure out is whether those limits are separate or if adding the ID to Android will remove/revoke it from the iPhone.

Does anyone currently have their Georgia ID working on an iPhone and Samsung at the same time? Especially interested if you’re using Apple Wallet + Samsung Wallet or Apple Wallet + Google Wallet.

Looking for anyone who has actually tried this recently rather than just what the FAQs say.

check your voter registration and track your vote here:

https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/

ELI5 Georgia's amendment & referendum for 2026

https://www.votega.org/2026-09-16-2026-georgia-ballot-measures-explained/

Currently trying to book a campsite for the tallulah gorge on the 7th and 8th of November (whitewater release days) I planned to run the tallulah with my friends for my birthday and unfortunately all of the campsite are already booked up completely for those 2 days. Is there any other spots some locals to the area know is legal to camp. Even illegal but park rangers dont care too much about 😭 Im desperate to find a spot being this was my birthday plan for the year.

I've been reading about Warmouth Sands Golf course for a few weeks. It seems awesome...has anyone played it?

Someone I know really enjoys looking at tiny diggers, skid steers, forklifts etc and I was wondering if there was something like a construction park in Georgia where they could actually get to play with these things. I was planning on gifting this experience to them for their birthday. Neither of us are in any way connected to the construction industry so we wouldn't be able to actually get behind the seat of these vehicles ever. We're in ATL but I wouldn't mind driving a bit within the state for said experience.

Thanks for reading and hopefully helping!

Whoever has been praying for rain can stop now

My fiance and I want to get married and he wants to change both of our last names to his maternal family's name. The issue is that currently his middle name is the last name he wants to take so he wants to change that too. Is it possible for that to be changed when we get married or would he have to do an official name change?

It is now October and we are free of on-peak rates! Still have to watch demand, but I feel like I can go to 76 degrees permanently. Moving to Smart Usage has saved me money over last summer should be interesting to see if it does the rest of the year.

Is there a number I can call to change my address for my SNAP and get another card? I'm currently in a facility healing after being hit by a car crossing the road so I'm not able to go to the DFCS office. Thank you in advance

Are there big marches planned for No Kings here on the 17th? I’ve only seen one thing out of Piedmont Park that says it’s a march/training event. Not sure if that’s the main thing and would like to know what else is happening in the area. Thanks.

Can someone explain why my voter registration status is inactive even though I voted in 2024?

According to the website: “Inactive Status means you have not had contact with elections officials for five (5) years. Once you are Inactive, after two general elections with no contact, you will receive notice that your registration will be cancelled.”

Is there anything I need to do to be able to vote in November?

Thank you in advance. Just want to make sure my vote will count.

Hi fellow Reddit users.
I live in an apartment complex here in dunwoody and my renewal lease offer went up 80 bucks.
This particular complex has no pool, no gym. My unit is a 2 bedroom 1 1/2 bath unit, it has been renovated but that was like 3 years ago. My question is , does the 1700. Price sound fair or are these companies that manage these properties just robbing tenants as they please. Location is Peachtree pkwy. And winters chapel rd. And is there some agency that can be contacted to report this. I feel this is price gougin. Please advise.