Council adopts resolution calling Nov. 4, 2025 general and special elections; homestead-exemption referenda to appear on ballot

The City of Dalton adopted Resolution 25-15 on Aug. 4 to call the general election and a special election for Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Andrew (staff) explained the resolution appoints election officials, authorizes the election superintendent to appoint poll workers as needed and designates the city clerk as the municipal qualifying officer. Whitfield County’s election superintendent will conduct election duties under the existing service-delivery agreement, the staff report said.

Andrew told the council the general-election ballot will include the Council Ward 2 seat, Council Ward 4 seat, and two City of Dalton Board of Education seats currently held by Matt Evans and Manny Mesa. The special-election portion of the ballot will present referenda tied to three acts passed by the state legislature in 2025: Act 109 (independent school district homestead exemption), Act 340 and Act 344, which the staff said relate to the city's and independent school district’s homestead exemption for residents age 70 or older; the referendum asks whether the exemption should be increased to $325,000. The resolution also states that the Whitfield County election superintendent will carry out election duties as provided by the city’s service-delivery agreement.

Council members moved, seconded and adopted the resolution by voice vote. The staff presentation did not include sample ballot language in the meeting record; the resolution as adopted sets administrative roles for qualifying and poll-worker appointment.