Senate Approves Bill to Clarify County Tax Ballot Questions

A bill to clarify county election questions that would result in a tax increase was approved Tuesday by the full State Senate. Sen. Anthony Sykes is the author of Senate Bill 1019. Sykes said confusion over a ballot title in a Stephens County election in 2004 had prompted him to file the legislation.

“We have guidelines on how state ballot titles must be worded, but those guidelines don’t address county ballot titles,” said Sykes, R-Moore. “In the specific case I’m talking about, people thought they were voting for a property tax exemption, when in fact, the question allowed the county to raise millage rates to make up for any lost revenue. That part was left out, and people were not happy when they got their tax bills from the county assessor.”

Sykes said a similar question appeared on other county ballots, and some stated it would result in increased taxes while others did not. The lawmaker said his bill would ensure that if the questions would result in higher taxes, it would have to be stated on the ballot.

“We just want to make sure that people understand exactly what it is they are voting for—especially when we’re talking about taxes,” Sykes said. “That’s what this bill will do.”

SB 1019 now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.