Metro Atlanta leaders call for veto of nonpartisan elections bill targeting Georgia’s “big five” counties

ATLANTA— Metro-Atlanta elected officials and members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus will hold a joint press conference on Tuesday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m., at the state Capitol to voice opposition to House Bill 369.

The controversial bill, which mandates nonpartisan elections for district attorneys, solicitors general, county commissioners, tax commissioners, superior court clerks, and school board members, targets Georgia’s “big five” counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton and Gwinnett. Under the bill, candidates seeking election for the said offices would run without party labels (Democrat or Republican). 

Critics say that the legislation raises serious concerns about voter transparency and local governance, warning that it could limit information voters rely on when making decisions at the ballot box since many people vote by Party. 

Originally, SB 369 was introduced to provide new regulations on mobile food trucks. Although the measure did not advance, it was revived as a nonpartisan elections bill targeting big counties that are heavily Democratic. The maneuver is called a “Zombie Bill,” legally allowing lawmakers to use a loophole to substitute a bill’s language after Crossover Day.  Essentially, text from a dead bill can be resurrected into a live bill as long as the new language relates to the  same section of Georgia law. 

Former State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler discussed the bill on her “Wake Up With Dee Morning Show” on WAOK radio on Monday, March 30, with five local tax commissioners–all black women—who agreed the bill is a power grab attempt. 

The District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia, blasted the bill, arguing that it is unconstitutional and racially and politically motivated. They say it is aimed at black women leaders, who currently hold several of the top elected positions in the “big five” counties.  

DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston condemned the bill as a power grab attempt when she learned on March 27 that the measure had passed 93-64 with 7 members not voting and 16 excused. SB 369 was originally written to provide new regulations on mobile food trucks 

“I am appalled that Republicans in the state legislature want to hide information from Georgia voters in local elections because they no longer control offices in the state’s largest counties. This bill is a blatant attempt to steal power from democratically elected Black leaders in metro Atlanta. I urge Governor Brian Kemp to veto this unconstitutional legislation. Otherwise, my colleagues and I are prepared to file a legal challenge.”

Leaders from the five counties say they will stand together to call for a veto of the legislation.

The joint position is outlined in a formal letter sent to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp urging him to reject the bill. The bill would take effect for the 2028 election cycle, if Kemp signs the bill.

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said she stands united with opponents of the bill and will attend the press conference at the Capitol.

“This bill is deeply concerning because it undermines transparency and raises serious constitutional questions about how elections are conducted in our communities,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “It selectively targets metro Atlanta counties and risks taking critical information away from voters at the ballot box. That is not how we strengthen democracy. We are urging Governor Kemp to veto this legislation and protect the integrity of our local elections.”