Georgia GOP Seeks to Remove Party Labels in Metro Atlanta Elections

Republicans aim to make local races nonpartisan in key Democratic strongholds.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:18am

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The Republican-controlled Georgia House has passed a bill that would require nonpartisan elections in the five most populous counties in metro Atlanta, including Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties - key Democratic strongholds. The measure would affect the elections of district attorneys, county commissioners, and other local officials. Democrats have criticized the move as an attempt to help Republican candidates win in areas where the party has been losing ground.

Why it matters

This legislation is seen as a partisan attempt by Republicans to regain political ground in the Atlanta metro area, where Democrats have made significant gains in recent years. The move to make local races nonpartisan could make it harder for voters to identify the party affiliation of candidates, potentially benefiting Republicans.

The details

The bill, pushed by Republican state Sen. John Albers, would require nonpartisan elections for district attorneys, county prosecutors, commissioners, court clerks and tax commissioners in Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties. Republicans claim the measure is needed to promote public safety, but Democrats argue it's an effort to 'rig' elections so GOP candidates can win in areas they've been losing.

  • The Georgia House gave final passage to the bill on March 27, 2026.
  • The nonpartisan election requirement would go into effect in 2028.

The players

John Albers

A Republican state senator from the Atlanta suburb of Roswell who pushed the bill to make local elections in metro Atlanta counties nonpartisan.

Fani Willis

The Fulton County District Attorney, a Democrat, who has been repeatedly targeted by Republicans due to her prosecution of former Republican President Donald Trump.

Brian Kemp

The Republican governor of Georgia, who has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill into law.

Gabriel Sanchez

A Democratic state representative from Smyrna in Cobb County who criticized the bill as an attempt to 'rig' elections.

Trey Kelley

A Republican state representative from rural Cedartown who said the legislation would give voters a chance to 'rid themselves' of Democratic district attorneys.

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What they’re saying

“'This is a bill that makes perfect sense. If you're playing politics, you'll be against this. If you want to keep Georgians safe, you'll be for it.'”

— John Albers, Republican state senator

“'The reason we're putting this bill forward is because there's a certain side that's losing elections in these counties, so they want to hide behind a nonpartisan badge in order to win them.'”

— Gabriel Sanchez, Democratic state representative

“'By passing this legislation, we're giving voters the opportunity to rid themselves of district attorneys who are more concerned with playing partisan games than prosecuting and delivering justice.'”

— Trey Kelley, Republican state representative

What’s next

Governor Brian Kemp has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill into law. If signed, the nonpartisan election requirement would go into effect in 2028.

The takeaway

This legislation is seen as a partisan move by Georgia Republicans to regain political ground in the Atlanta metro area, where Democrats have made significant gains in recent years. The shift to nonpartisan local elections could make it harder for voters to identify party affiliations, potentially benefiting Republican candidates.