DECATUR, Ga. — DeKalb County voters have an election next month – though many may not realize it. They’re asked to renew a one cent sales tax in an election that will have a very, very light turnout.
DeKalb County voters have been very reliable about saying yes to sales tax referendums. The timing of those votes could be part of the reason.
Cadarius George is among the voters accustomed to presidential and gubernatorial elections every two years. But as to the election referendum in DeKalb next month, he said he "maybe, probably" will vote.
"My girlfriend might make me vote," he said, adding that the referendum isn't a high priority for him.
The referendum would be an extension of a one cent sales tax in DeKalb used to fund needed projects like road construction, said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
"Senior centers, libraries, parks and other government facilities at the courthouse, as well as a new facility for our police department," Thurmond said Thursday.
But voters tend to stay home in droves for elections ratifying local sales taxes. Those who show up in DeKalb tend to be motivated to approve them.
In the November 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, 373,439 DeKalb voters showed up to vote. But in November 2021 -- with mostly city elections on the ballot --- a DeKalb County sales tax renewal was widely ignored; only 18% of the 2020 voters showed up.
It’s a one-note election that’s easy to overlook.
"It is below the radar," said DeKalb voter Aileen de la Torre, who describes herself as politically engaged. "I’ll be 100 percent honest – I didn’t know it was coming up this soon."
The votes will be counted Nov. 7, but early voting starts next week.