KNOW YOUR BALLOT

Every election headlines focus on the top of the ballot, but many decisions affecting Georgia families are made by down-ballot officials voters know far less about.

Their actions shape your everyday life from your utility bills and your child's education to public safety, agriculture, and taxes.

That's why we're launching Know Your Ballot, a weekly series to help you become a more informed voter before Election Day.

Each week, we will highlight the down-ballot races that shape Georgia with three things you need to know: the conservative policies driving Georgia's successes, the leaders behind them, and why these actions matter to you.

Let's get started.



EDUCATION

From classroom funding to the policies that shape how students learn, the state legislature and Georgia’s State School Superintendent have a major impact on education at every level of education.

Here are three things you need to know about the work being done down ballot to improve education across our state.



Literacy

A top priority of Speaker Jon Burns, the Georgia Early Literacy Act passed the General Assembly this year to strengthen reading instruction and give every student a stronger foundation for success.

The law is already putting new resources into classrooms statewide, including:

• 1,300 literacy coaches statewide
• Universal reading screeners to identify students who need additional support
• K–3 reading materials aligned with the science of reading

The General Assembly backed these reforms with significant funding while also giving teachers and districts the tools and frameworks to put them into practice, pairing smart policy with real classroom investment.

Watch this clip from Atlanta News First featuring Rep. Chris Erwin about how the Georgia Early Literacy Act is positively impacting classrooms across the Peach State.

Bell to Bell, No Cell

Georgia is taking meaningful steps to create better learning environments for students.

This past session, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to limit student cell phone use during the school day, putting the focus back where it belongs - on learning. Schools that have adopted cell phone-free policies have reported stronger academic performance, improved classroom engagement, and fewer disciplinary incidents.

Down-ballot office holders listened when there was a problem, and gave teachers the tools to address it head on.

Share this post talking about how Rep. Scott Hilton and Sen. Shawn Still prioritized limiting distractions in the classroom.

School Safety

Creating safe learning environments is essential to student success, and the Georgia General Assembly has made school safety a top priority. Since 2019, more than $600 million has been invested in school safety and School Resource Officer funding.

In 2025, lawmakers strengthened protections for students by passing Ricky and Alyssa's Law, requiring public schools to implement mobile panic alert systems, improve coordination with first responders, and provide digital campus maps to help law enforcement respond more quickly during emergencies.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods has supported these efforts by working with school districts to help implement the new requirements and strengthen school safety statewide.

Keeping students safe takes more than good intentions. It means leaders at all levels investing in security, strengthening coordination, and giving tools the resources to respond quickly when every second matters.

Share this post featuring Sen. Jason Anavitarte discussing Ricky and Alyssa's Law.

We'll keep bringing you the facts, the context, and the information you need to know your ballot. Until next week, visit KnowYourBallotGA.com to discover more about the bottom of your ballot.

Thanks for reading,

Your Greater Georgia Team

Know Your Ballot


Conservative leadership has helped make Georgia a place of greater opportunity, freedom, and safety.

From the Governor to the Georgia General Assembly and statewide Commissioners, every office on your ballot helps shape our state's future.


Visit KnowYourBallotGA.com to explore our statewide voter guide before you vote.

To learn more, visit www.greatergeorgia.com, and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest information.