Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a law on Tuesday requiring nonpartisan elections for most local officials in the five most populous counties around Atlanta, including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett. The law, which takes effect in 2028, shifts elections for county offices—except sheriffs—to May, aligning them with nonpartisan judicial elections. Fani Willis, the Fulton County District Attorney, and Sherry Boston, the DeKalb County District Attorney, have vowed to sue, calling the law unconstitutional and accusing Republicans of attempting to obscure party affiliations to gain an advantage in Democratic-leaning counties.
Republican supporters argue the law promotes public safety and reduces political polarization in local governance. State Sen. John Albers, the bill's sponsor, said it aims to depoliticize elections, citing major events like the Super Bowl and World Cup as reasons to focus on public safety. However, critics, including Willis and Boston, claim the law is designed to weaken Democratic strongholds by reducing voter turnout in May elections, which typically see lower participation than November general elections.
The law exempts sheriff elections, which will remain partisan. The change comes as Democrats have gained ground in these counties, which are key to Georgia's swing-state status. The measure has drawn national attention due to Willis's ongoing prosecution of former President Donald Trump over election interference in 2020, a case that has made her a target of Republican criticism.