Source: MCO Group

01. Early Voting Started for Statewide & City Elections 

Early voting for the November 4 general election started this week. Statewide, voters will elect two Public Service Commission commissioners, deciding between incumbent Tim Echols and Alicia Johnson in District 2, and incumbent Fitz Johnson and Peter Hubbard in District 3. Akbar Ali, Marqus Cole and Jamie Parker are running in the special election for House District 106 (Gwinnett County) to replace Shelly Hutchinson, who announced her retirement in August. Running for a second term, Mayor Andre Dickens faces three candidates, including Helmut "Love" Domagalski, Kalema Jackson and Eddie Meredith.

02. Former Democratic Senator Vernon Jones Running for Secretary of State 

Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative who switched parties in support of President Donald Trump, announced Monday he's running to become Georgia's top election official. Jones, who has called himself the “Black Donald Trump,” ran for Congress in 2022 with Trump's endorsement, bolstering the president's false claims that Georgia’s 2020 election was stolen from him. Jones dropped out of the 2022 governor's race, then lost the Republican congressional primary that same year to U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

Jones served several terms in Georgia's state House before becoming a Republican in January 2021, as his final term came to an end.

03. State School Superintendent Wants to Change School District Accounting 

Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods wants state lawmakers to consider legislation that would safeguard school finances. The request comes after the state advanced $1.4 million to the Dublin City Schools in the wake of its financial woes. Woods developed a "Blueprint for Reforms to School District Financial Safeguards that recommends adding penalties to school districts that do not meet auditing requirements and deadlines. Districts given moderate-risk status would be required to work with the state Department of Audits and Accounts instead of using an independent auditor.

04. Voting Rights Group New Georgia Project Shutting Down

Months after a Georgia nonprofit admitted to violating campaign finance laws, it has announced it will shut down. The New Georgia Project and The New Georgia Project Action Fund will be officially dissolved. In January, the voting rights group New Georgia Project admitted to 16 violations of Georgia’s campaign finance laws and the state ethics commission hit it with a record $300,000 fine.

05. State Rep. Mandi Ballinger Dies After Battle With Cancer

Georgia State Rep. Mandi Ballinger, a Canton Republican who chaired the Judiciary Juvenile Committee, has died after a "long and courageous" battle with cancer, House Speaker Jon Burns said Sunday. Ballinger served in the Georgia House for more than a decade, representing District 23. Her House biography says she has been "instrumental in furthering Georgia's laws dealing with domestic violence and child abuse and has been recognized for this legislative work" by several state organizations. In a statement, Gov. called Rep. Ballinger "respected across the political aisle as an advocate for justice in our state."