Breaking down the ballot: Proposed constitutional amendments for Georgia voters

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By Ashley Campbell acampbell@nbcaugusta.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. - While John McCain and Barack Obama have been campaigning for your vote, there are some other choices on the ballot you might not know about.

In Georgia, for example, voters have to decide on three proposed constitutional amendments.

The wording on those questions can be a bit intimidating for some.

"The one about the forestry I didn't understand," said Richard Pryor, voter.

"We have to realize those questions are written by attorneys. They are written in a very formal format," said Lynn Bailey, the executive director of Richmond County Board of Elections.

That could explain why some of the questions on the ballot could be hard to grasp.

Question one asks, "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation and protection of the state's forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?"

Here's what it means.

The amendment would give large property owners tax breaks if they agree to use their acreage for conservation purposes.

The second amendment question: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?”

In a nut shell, it asks voters if they want to allow a portion of their school property taxes to be used for financing redevelopment projects throughout the state.

The third and final amendment question: “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?”

If approved, it would set up special districts.

Those districts would be allowed to fund improvements on such things as roads, bridges, schools and parks in underdeveloped rural areas.

These referendum questions are statewide, meaning all Georgia voters will decide on them.

If you need to do a little research before voting on these issues, we've posted a link to theGeorgia Secretary of State website.

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