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Spalding County elections board calls Nov. 4 referendum on senior homestead extension
Summary
The Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration voted 4-0 to call a countywide special election on Nov. 4, 2025, asking voters whether a state House bill providing a homestead property-tax extension for residents 65 and older should be approved by referendum.
The Spalding County Board of Elections and Voter Registration voted 4-0 on Aug. 5 to call a countywide special election for Nov. 4, 2025, to place a state House bill before local voters. The resolution, introduced under House Bill 7508 (2025), directs election officials to place the following question on the ballot for the Spalding County School District: “Shall the act be approved which provides residents of the Spalding County School District who are 65 years of age or older a homestead extension…?” The board read the ballot language during the meeting. The vote followed brief discussion about the motion and the resolution format. A board member said, “I have a problem with that. I don't have any idea what we're voting on,” after which the board received a copy of the resolution and proceeded to vote. Lee Howell moved to approve the resolution; a board member identified as Dexter seconded. The motion passed 4-0. Kim Slaughter, elections director for Spalding County, confirmed the board would sign the resolution and complete the required administrative steps to place the question on the ballot. Board members noted the measure differs from earlier versions in the amounts and that the exemption is “graduated according to your income,” as read during the meeting. The resolution itself does not set the exemption amounts in the board discussion; the motion called for placing the statutory measure on the ballot for voter approval or rejection. The board gave administrative direction to prepare ballots and the paperwork required to conduct the special election. No additional conditions or amendments to the resolution were made during the meeting. The board's approval authorizes election staff to proceed with scheduling and logistics for the Nov. 4 special election; the measure will appear only if county election procedures and deadlines are met. A copy of the adopted resolution will be signed by the board chair and retained in the election office record.
