Geographically, Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River and has a population of 10.8 million, the eighth most populous state in the nation. This size and population offers many opportunities for service as an elected official or on appointed board and commissions.
The majority of elected positions in Georgia are still held by men, but women have recently made great advances by winning seats and increasing the percentage of women who are elected.
While legislative seats and statewide office elections are on even years, most municipal elections in Georgia are on the ballot in odd years. Elected offices in Georgia include:
- The Georgia General Assembly has 180 House members and 56 Senate members, making it amongst the largest in the nation. All terms are for two years. House members each represent about 59,000 citizens and Senate members represent about 189,000 citizens. Those elected in 2022 will take the oath of office in January and be up for re-election in 2024. For many years, Georgia had been one of the least competitive states for legislative seats, with many officials facing no opposition in either their primary of General Election. In recent years, races have been more competitive, though still not in every geographic area of the state.
- More than 3,050 municipal offices are elected to govern more than 530 incorporated municipalities in Georgia which range in size from the city of Atlanta and its 500,000 residents down to Edge Hill with 20 residents.
- There are 830 County Commission seats in 159 counties
- Georgia has more than 1050 school board seats at either the county or municipal level.
- Each of the 159 counties elects a sheriff, a tax commissioner, and other local officials.
- There are also more than 850 positions in the court system at either the county or judicial circuit level.
Roughly half of the Municipal contests will be on the November 2023 ballot and half of the county level contests will be on the November 2024 ballot.
Georgia House and Senate elections are always in even numbered years and statewide constitutional officers are elected for four-year terms with the next cycle being in 2026. Public Service Commission members serve six-year terms and the timing of those elections depends upon the district number. Qualifying for legislative seats and statewide offices is usually in March.
Many find great happiness in community service via service on appointed boards and commissions. Often these positions become a stepping-stone to later running for elected office. Appointed boards and commissions such as Zoning, Airport or Hospital Authority, Library Board and even the Industrial Authority or County Board of Health offer the opportunity to make a difference in your community. Check with your city council or county commission about vacancies on these board and how you might apply for an appointment.
During the coming years as the fight for reproductive freedom continues, well-trained and well-informed advocates will be needed for the protests and demonstrations necessary to make our voices heard and protect medical autonomy for future generations. The WIN Leadership Academy will equip you to become a more effective advocate for reproductive freedom and also other causes which you strongly support.