Fulton County voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to pick a new County Commission chair, with Democrat Mo Ivory facing Republican Eric Tatum for the countywide seat.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., according to the Fulton County Registration and Elections department. Voters must bring an accepted photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or state-issued voter ID card.

The chair holds one of seven votes on the commission and serves a four-year term, according to the Appen Media voter guide. The winner will inherit major challenges, including whether to raise taxes to fund Fulton County Jail improvements.

How the candidates got here

Ivory, 56, is an attorney and Georgia State University law professor who served as the District 4 commissioner before resigning to run for chair. She defeated incumbent Chair Robb Pitts in the June 16 Democratic primary runoff, Atlanta News First reported. Pitts has held the chairmanship since 2017. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens endorsed Ivory in the primary.

Tatum, 40, is a Roswell attorney who serves as chief financial officer and family law partner at Banks, Stubbs & McFarland, according to a Fulton Neighbor candidate questionnaire. He has 15 years of experience practicing family and juvenile law.

Campaign priorities

Ivory has pledged to fix the county jail, fund the courts, expand healthcare and protect elections. She described conditions at the jail as “a humanitarian crisis,” according to Appen Media.

Tatum has pledged to hold the millage rate steady. He said the county’s tax rate has not risen since 2022 and should not rise now, arguing an increase falls hardest on seniors on fixed incomes. He also called for publishing contract-scoring details and written justifications whenever the county buys without competition, according to Fulton Neighbor.

Both candidates named the jail as a top priority.

Other commission races and transportation tax

In District 1, Republican incumbent Bridget Thorne faces Democrat Maggie Goldman in a rematch of the 2022 race, which Thorne won by less than a percentage point. The district covers Johns Creek and parts of Sandy Springs, Roswell and Alpharetta.

In District 3, Democrat Jodi Merriday, a college professor, faces Republican Paul Burton, a technology executive. The district includes parts of Sandy Springs and Atlanta, including Buckhead. Voters receive district races based on their address.

Voters outside Atlanta will also decide whether to continue the 0.75% transportation sales tax known as TSPLOST. The proposed collection period runs from April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2032, according to county election notices.

What to know on Election Day

Voters must use their assigned Election Day precinct. Polling locations and sample ballots are available through Georgia’s My Voter Page. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. may vote.

Early absentee tabulation begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The county’s consolidation of returns is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and results will be posted after polls close. If a runoff is needed, it is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Voters can reach the elections office at 404-612-7020.