Duluth-Area Voters to Cast Ballots Twice for Senate District 7 in May

Special election and primary election for 2027-2028 term on same May 19 ballot

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:51am

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Voters in Georgia's Senate District 7, which includes the Duluth area, will have the opportunity to cast ballots twice for candidates to represent the district in the state Senate. On May 19, there will be a special election to fill the remainder of the current term through December, as well as the primary election for the 2027-2028 term. This dual election has raised some concerns that voters may be confused about why they are voting twice for the same seat.

Why it matters

The special election was triggered by the resignation of Sen. Nabilah Parkes, a Democrat, who is running for lieutenant governor. The district is considered a safe Democratic seat, so the outcome of these elections could have implications for the balance of power in the state Senate.

The details

The Georgia Secretary of State's Office scheduled the special election to fill the remainder of Parkes' term on May 19, the same day as the primary for the next SD 7 term. This means Duluth-area voters will have the opportunity to vote for candidates to represent the district in the state Senate twice on their May 19 ballots.

  • Sen. Nabilah Parkes (D-Duluth) resigned in March 2026 to run for lieutenant governor.
  • The special election to fill the remainder of Parkes' term will be held on May 19, 2026.
  • The primary election for the 2027-2028 term will also be held on May 19, 2026.

The players

Nabilah Parkes

A Democratic state senator who resigned in March 2026 to run for lieutenant governor.

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What’s next

The three candidates for the special election to replace Parkes through the end of 2026 will appear on the May 19 ballot for all SD 7 voters.

The takeaway

This dual election process in Senate District 7 highlights the importance of clear communication with voters to ensure they understand the purpose of each vote and the implications of the outcomes. It also underscores the potential for voter confusion when special elections and regular elections are held concurrently.