My Vote Is Cast

I'm going to be out of commission for work on election day so I went ahead and voted early. Seven Republicans, one Democrat, and one Libertarian. That's not a bad spread for me, although I was sorely tempted to vote for the Socialist Workers Party candidates...NOT!

UPDATE (11/02/2006): Okay, I've been asked and asked so here's the answer:

The Democrat I voted for is Hank Johnson as my Congressman, because I think he will listen too and represent all his constituents. Also, I didn't care for the Republican or Libertarian candidates - just one of the "bad vibes" sorta things. I think Hank will do a good job representing the 4th District, and after years and years of Cynthia McKinney's buffoonery that'll be a refreshing change.

The Libertarian I voted for is Kevin Madsen for Secretary of State. I heard him speak at a townhall meeting and I liked his attitude. The Republican and Democratic candidates have been in government for a while at the county and state level. It's time for them to take a break.

Constitutional Amendments & Referenda

Constitutional Amendment 1 - To restrict the use of eminent domain. Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to prohibit the use of eminent domain by certain nonelected authorities and to prohibit the contested use of eminent domain except for public use as defined by general law? VOTED FOR

Constitutional Amendment 2 - To protect the traditions of fishing and hunting. Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good? VOTED FOR

Constitutional Amendment 3 - To authorize the General Assembly to dedicated revenue from special motor vehicle license plates. Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide for special motor vehicle license plates and dedicate the revenue from such plates for stated purposes, including dedications for the ultimate use of agencies, funds, or nonprofit corporations where it is found that there will be a benefit to the state? VOTED FOR

Referendum Question A - To expand the ad valorem tax excemption for farm equipment. Shall the Act be approved which expands the ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural products and equipment to include certain additional farm equipment held under a lease purchase agreement? VOTED NO (We subsidize agriculture too much already)

Referendum Question B - To expand the ad valorem exemption for veterans organizations. Shall the Act be approved which expands the ad valorem tax exemption for veterans organizations to include certain additional nonprofit veterans organizations which refurbish and operate historic military aircraft for educational purposes? VOTED FOR

Referendum Question C - To expand the ad valorem tax exmption for property of charitable institutions. Shall the Act be approved which grants an exemption from ad valorem taxation on property owned by a charitable institution which generates income when that income is used exclusively for the operation of such charitable institution? VOTED FOR

Referendum Question D - To provide a homestead exemption to certain residents who are senior citizens with respect to state ad valorem taxes.(This referendum exempts citizens 65 and older from the property tax.) Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption for senior citizens in an amount equal to the actual levy for state ad valorem tax purposes on the homestead? VOTED FOR

Referendum Question E - To provide a homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty. Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption for the full value of the homestead with respect to all ad valorem taxes for the unremarried surviving spouse of a peace officer or firefighter who was killed in the line of duty? VOTED FOR

Referendum Question F - Homestead exemption for a surviving spouse. Shall the Act be approved which provides that, with respect to base year assessed value homestead exemptions, the surviving spouse of a deceased spouse who has been granted such a homestead exemption shall receive that exemption at the same base year valuation that applied to the deceased spouse so long as that surviving spouse continues to occupy the home as a residence and homestead? VOTED FOR