Canton-Sixes Election Guide
Although voters had their say on many issues in July, there is is still a state-wide school choice amendment and a county-wide sales tax question on the November ballot.
Although the biggest question on the Nov. 6 ballot is who will become the next President of the United States, that doesn't mean voters have no Georgia-centric issues to weigh in on.
The sole issue on the statewide ballot is House Resolution 1162. If this resolution is passed, Georgia's constitution will be amended to allow the state to approve and fund local charter schools.
This so-called "charter school amendment" has been the crux of controversy in Cherokee County. Supporters and detractors of the amendment have spent months discussing the issue.
Recognizing the importance some Cherokee residents place on charter schools, Gov. Nathan Deal chose Cherokee Charter Academy as the location where he signed House Bill 797 back in May.
H.B. 797, which relies on the passage of H.R. 1162 to become effective, will restore the state's charter schools commission after a state Supreme Court decision ruled the body unconstitutional.
How are you voting on Nov. 6 and why? Tell us in the comments!
However, Cherokee school board members voted 4-2 during an April meeting to endorse a resolution that urges Georgians to reject the amendment, which they fear will take away from local districts.
A Cherokee-only ballot question will ask if voters want to enact a 1% sales tax that will go towards reducing the property tax burden of landowners. At a recent forum to discuss the HOST tax, Cherokee officials confirmed that 100% of the money received from the HOST would go towards property tax reductions.
Opponents of the plan have asserted that the regressive tax will hurt far more Cherokee residents than it will help, and claim that there is no guarantee that this sales tax will prevent other tax increases.
A second forum is planned for Oct. 4.
Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election.
MP
10:25 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
I am voting YES because:
1. I believe that many districts in Georgia have failed students and have wasted tax payer dollars.
2. I am tired of our state being at the bottom of the barrel in education in our nation.
3. Our economy depends on improving our public school system.
4. Charters are providing enough "chaff" for the districts to make them rethink how they are doing business.
5. Charters are successfully serving kids and closing the achievement gap.
6. I believe parents and community members have a right to a say in their children's education.
Rae Harkness
8:33 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
I'm voting YES.
Sharpie
9:05 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Make a special note to watch the Free and Equal Election Debate between third party candidates for the Presidency, Gov. Gary Johnson (Libertarian) and Dr. Jill Stein (Green) to be aired tonight on Monday evening, Nov. 5th from 9:00 - 10:30 pm Eastern Time. Perform a worthwhile civic duty, and be certain to listen in on this historic debate so that you can make an informed decision on voting day. Third party candidates who will be on the ballot in most states deserve to be heard.
http://freeandequal.org/?v=1