What to know about Ga. Public Service Commission special election
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s time for Georgians to decide who they want to choose their utility rates.
Early voting is now open for statewide special primaries for two seats on the hugely influential Georgia Public Service Commission.
Decisions by the Public Service Commission affect how much people pay for services such as electricity, telephone and natural gas.
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Anytime a utility company like Georgia Power raises its rates, the increase must be approved by the five-member PSC.
Early voting for the primary elections is open Tuesday through June 13.
A total of eight candidates are the races for District 2 and District 3:
District 2
- (D) Alicia Johnson
- (R) Tim Echols
- (R) Lee Muns
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District 3
- (D) Peter Hubbard
- (D) Robert Jones
- (D) Keisha Sean Waites
- (R) Fitz Johnson
The Richmond County Board Of Elections confirms Daniel Blackman has been disqualified from seeking nomination for office in District 3. Blackman was a Democratic candidate, and all votes cast for him will be void.
Blackman was ruled ineligible because he has not been a resident of District 3 for a sufficient amount of time, but he’s appealing the decision.
“Our campaign remains firmly committed to making sure every vote counts — and to fighting for reliability, affordability, and transparency for Georgia’s ratepayers,” Blackman said Thursday. “As we enter the final phase of this legal process, our resolve has never been stronger. My focus is clear: we will continue to fight to ensure that every voice is heard, and that the people, not special interests, remain at the center of this campaign.”
Blackman had been endorsed by Georgia Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group, which said Thursday it does not plan to endorse another candidate in Blackman’s place.
Where you can vote
In Augusta, early voting will take place at the following locations on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.:
- Linda W. Beazley Community Room, 535 Telfair Street
- Henry Brigham Community Center, 2463 Golden Camp Road
- Robert Howard Community Center, 103 Diamond Lakes Way
- Warren Road Recreation Center, 300 Warren Road
Weekend voting will take place Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at all locations.
You can vote on Sunday, June 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Linda W. Beazley Room only.
In Columbia County, you can vote from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays, May 31 and June 7, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Voting is at Building G3 in Evans.
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Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 17 for Election Day voting. Voters must vote at their assigned precinct and present one of six acceptable forms of photo ID.
The absentee by mail application period is also now open and closes on and mailing period closes June 6.
You can check with your local voting board for more schedules.
The primary winners would move on to a statewide special election on Nov. 4, 2025.
Elections for these two seats were originally scheduled for November 2024, but were placed on hold due to an ongoing lawsuit challenging the at-large election format for PSC .
Earlier this month, the PSC and Georgia Power announced the power company will not file an expected 2025 rate increase, instead freezing base rates at the current level for at least three years.
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