Alpharetta and Milton residents who are not registered to vote have until the close of business Monday, Oct. 5, to sign up for the Nov. 3 general election.
The ballot carries two Fulton County sales-tax questions that would directly affect local wallets and roads. One is a 1% education sales tax (ESPLOST) that could raise roughly $2.1 billion countywide. The other is a 0.75% transportation tax (TSPLOST) projected to generate about $650 million over five years. The transportation tax alone could send more than $115 million to Alpharetta and Milton.
What's on the line locally
Under the TSPLOST, Alpharetta would receive about $71.6 million and Milton about $44.2 million, according to a Fulton County press release issued Aug. 4. Alpharetta's project list includes nearly $30.9 million for citywide road maintenance and $30.2 million for pedestrian, bicycle and streetscape work, including Alpha Loop sections. Milton's plan earmarks $15 million for operations and safety, $10 million for bridges, and $10 million for maintenance, as reported by the North Atlanta Star.
Voters first approved the transportation tax in 2016 and renewed it in 2021. The new collection period would run from April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2032.
Milton Mayor Peyton Jamison signaled support for the measure at a council meeting in May. "This is the very … beginning, and we'll get into the actual projects and weeds down the road," Jamison said, according to a city of Milton post. "I know that (TSPLOST) has provided a lot."
The education tax, if approved, would be reimposed starting July 1, 2027, for up to five years, according to the official Fulton County call for election. Milton High School, Alpharetta High School, Cambridge High School, Alpharetta Elementary School and other area schools are listed for capital improvements including roofing, HVAC, safety upgrades and technology.
How to register and vote
Georgia residents can register online at the Secretary of State's My Voter Page (mvp.sos.ga.gov) with a valid driver's license, according to the Georgia Recorder. Residents without a license can mail a paper application using the last four digits of their Social Security number. In-person registration is available at the North Fulton Service Center, 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.
Early voting runs Oct. 13 through Oct. 30. Fulton County has 32 early voting locations, and registered voters can cast a ballot at any of them. Saturday voting on Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday voting on Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 runs noon to 6 p.m.
The Alpharetta Library is one of seven Fulton County locations with an absentee ballot drop box, according to Rough Draft Atlanta. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is Oct. 23. Drop boxes close the day before the election, and all absentee ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Five days remain.
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
