Calls grow for Kemp to veto bill making some metro elections nonpartisan

Republicans and Democrats are calling for Gov. Brian Kemp to veto House Bill 369, a bill that would make some elections nonpartisan in some metro Atlanta counties.

If made law, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton counties would see a shift to nonpartisan races for district attorneys, county commissioners, tax commissioners and other local offices. The changes would begin in 2028.

Stephen Aaron, chairman of the 9th Congressional District Republican Party, told WABE he is advocating against the bill.

“This is something that we’ve been fighting for the past 15+ years. It seems like every session, there is some new effort to make another local office nonpartisan,” Aaron said. “This takes away accountability from the voters. It takes away voters’ ability to identify basic philosophy of who’s running when someone’s running for a certain office and realistically it’s just bad policy.”

Supporters say the bill will reduce partisanship while critics argue it would make elections more confusing for voters.

Gerald Rose, founder of New Order National Human Rights Organization, told Atlanta News First that he wants Kemp to veto the bill.

“The voters are being very confused on that. That’s why we want him to veto this bill,” he said.

Mshawi Ikner, a DeKalb County voter, said it is unfair that the bill only targets a few counties.

“To me it’s discrimination. One hundred and fifty-nine counties, you got five counties you just targeting,” Ikner said.

District attorneys in the affected counties have said they are prepared to file a lawsuit if the law is enacted.

Kemp has until May 12 to either veto or sign the bill, or he could let the bill become law by not acting.