Early voting has started and enthusiasm is HIGH! It’s no surprise that SD44 had the highest turnout in the state for the first two days of early voting. Let’s keep it going.  

Next Tuesday I’m co-hosting an event for Democratic Attorney General nominee Tanya Miller in Druid Hills.  We are so close to flipping this seat. Will you join us? Tickets start at $100, include drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres, and access to one of the most impressive private collections of Braves memorabilia around! Plus, you’ll be able to say “I knew Tanya when…”

When you use this link to purchase your ticket, your contribution to her campaign will be doubled.

In this edition of the Draper Paper:

1. Georgia Statewide Ballot Measures

2. Let’s Flip the House!

3. What to do between now and Election Day

4. Support Tanya Miller for AG

Georgia voters will see three statewide constitutional amendments on the November 3 ballot. Below is a guide to what each measure does, what a YES or NO vote means, and the key arguments on both sides. To see the official text of these proposed amendments or review your precinct-specific ballot, check the Georgia Secretary of State My Voter Page or refer to Georgia.gov Voter Resources.

All three measures passed both the House and Senate with substantial bipartisan support. I voted in favor of sending all three ballot questions to the voters.  I don’t think any of them are “no-brainers”-- so I am presenting some pros and cons below.  

Amendment 1: Next Generation 9-1-1 Dedicated Fund (HR 1243)

Allows the General Assembly to create a constitutionally protected revenue fund to upgrade and maintain statewide emergency communications, replacing aging dispatch systems with digital networks capable of handling location tracking, text, photos, and video.

• A YES Vote: Approves establishing a dedicated state fund for Next Generation 9-1-1 upgrades.

• A NO Vote: Retains current funding, requiring dispatch modernization to compete annually for general budget appropriations.

• Arguments in Favor: Provides call centers and first responders with a stable, protected revenue stream to upgrade outdated analog infrastructure without risk of diverted funds.

• Arguments Against: Dedicated earmarks tie future legislative hands and that funding could be provided through normal processes and  remain within standard budget oversight.

Amendment 2: Conservation-Use Acreage Limit (HB 90 / HR 1022)

Under the Conservation Use Value Assessment (CUVA) program, agricultural and timber land receives reduced property tax valuations. This measure raises the maximum acreage an individual or entity can enroll from 2,000 to 4,000 acres.

• A YES Vote: Increases the statutory cap for conservation-use tax valuations to 4,000 acres.

• A NO Vote: Keeps the existing limit at 2,000 acres.

• Arguments in Favor: Offers tax relief to Georgia's timber industry and allows large family-owned farms to streamline ownership without needing split legal entities to avoid tax penalties.

• Arguments Against: The cap primarily benefits relatively wealthy investors while potentially shifting local tax burdens onto residential homeowners.

Amendment 3: Nonpartisan Elections for Probate Judges

Georgia probate judges oversee sensitive civil matters like wills, estates, and guardianships. This amendment replaces the current county-by-county mix of partisan and nonpartisan contests with a uniform requirement.

• A YES Vote: Requires all probate judges in Georgia to run on nonpartisan ballots.

• A NO Vote: Preserves local authority, letting individual counties choose between partisan or nonpartisan contests.

• Arguments in Favor: Would remove overt party politics from judicial and estate administration, aligning probate courts with other Georgia courts across all 159 counties.

• Arguments Against: Party labels provide useful context about a candidate's judicial philosophy, the amendment supplants local decision-making power.

Republicans have held a trifecta in Georgia for over two decades—controlling the Governor’s mansion, the State Senate, and the State House. Because they control the legislative agenda, they decide which bills get heard and which become law, leaving Democrats with virtually no say on critical policy.

Winning the Georgia House changes everything. A Democratic majority means a seat at the table on the issues that matter most: healthcare access, public education funding, fair tax policy, and ending gerrymandered voting maps.

The coming election offers a real opportunity. There are five districts where Democrats won a majority of votes in the 2024 presidential election that are very likely to flip this year. But there are another 10 or more seats that are also very competitive. These are the campaigns that can benefit from your donations the most right now. Here is a list of 10 seats that are right on the edge of flipping: 

State legislative races offer one of the highest returns on investment in politics. Visit candidate websites today to donate, canvass, or sign up for a phone bank. Down-ballot power also builds upward: strong local House campaigns drive turnout that lifts statewide tickets. I absolutely recommend supporting candidates like the 10 in the table–these are great candidates and are some of the races where extra support now could make the difference!

Vote early if you haven’t already

• It’s the best way to secure your vote.

• Find an early vote location near you at www.votesaira.com/vote

Canvass from Saira’s porch

We will be out again this weekend and every weekend until election day. Talking to your neighbors is the most effective way to get out the vote.

• Find times and details here

• More canvassing opportunities at votesaira.com/canvass.

Call voters to give them the information they need to vote early

• Find details for weekend and weekday phone banks

Remind 3 friends to vote

• Wave signs at early vote locations across DeKalb asking voters to remind 3 friends to vote.  Find info here

Support Democrats Running for Statewide Office

• Join us next week to support Tanya Miller in her important race to be our next Attorney General.

  

Yours in service,