March 20, 2025 Story by: Editor
For the first time since 2020, Georgia voters will have the opportunity to elect members to the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) this year, with special elections set for Nov. 4 to fill vacancies in Districts 2 and 3.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced the special elections, with primaries scheduled for June 17 and any necessary runoffs to follow on July 15.
Currently, District 2 Commissioner Tim Echols and District 3 Commissioner Fitz Johnson are serving extended terms due to a 2022 lawsuit that challenged the method of electing PSC members in Georgia.
The lawsuit, filed by four Black residents of Fulton County, argued that electing PSC members through a statewide vote rather than by district weakened Black voting power, violating the federal Voting Rights Act and making it harder for Black voters to elect candidates of their choice.
While a lower federal court initially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals later overturned that decision. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing the appellate court ruling to stand.
During last year’s legislative session, the General Assembly approved a bill scheduling the PSC elections for Districts 2 and 3 in 2024. The election for District 5 is set for 2026, while elections for Districts 1 and 4 will take place in 2028.
According to Raffensperger’s order, candidate qualifying will be held from April 1-3 at the state Capitol.
PSC District 2 extends from Rockdale and Henry counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area southeastward to Chatham County. District 3, which represents Atlanta, includes Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties.
Source: Grice Connect
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