SB 422: Elections and Primaries; the date of most municipal elections shall be in even-numbered years; a one-year extension to the terms of office of most municipal officers; provide

Right now, most Georgia municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, separate from the even-numbered-year cycle used for state and federal races. This bill amends Georgia's election code (O.C.G.A. Title 21, Chapter 2) so that, starting with elections held after December 31, 2026, general municipal elections would instead be held in even-numbered years, aligning them with state and federal election cycles. To make that transition work, any municipal officer in office on December 31, 2026 would have their current term extended by one extra year. That extension would not apply to municipal officers who serve two-year terms in cities that already use staggered terms under a specific local-law provision (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-541.2). The bill also updates the primary election date rules and the local-law provisions governing municipal terms of office to match the new even-numbered-year schedule, and it repeals conflicting laws.

• Changes the default date for general municipal elections in Georgia from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years, effective for elections held after December 31, 2026.
• Extends the term of any municipal officer in office on December 31, 2026 by one additional year to ease the transition to the new election schedule.
• Exempts municipal officers serving two-year terms in cities with staggered terms under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-541.2 from receiving the one-year term extension.
• Removes the option for municipal primaries to be held on the third Tuesday in July of odd-numbered years, aligning municipal primary timing with the even-numbered-year cycle.
• Updates the local-law authorization in O.C.G.A. § 21-2-541.2 so that general municipal elections created by local law are held in even-numbered rather than odd-numbered years.

Sitting municipal officials such as mayors and city council members across Georgia, city governments that must update election schedules and notices, county and municipal election officials, political parties running municipal primaries, and voters in municipalities who will see elections shift to even-numbered years.

Voters would likely see municipal races on the same ballot as state and federal contests instead of in separate off-year elections, which could change turnout patterns. Many sitting officials would serve an extra year before facing re-election, delaying when voters get to weigh in on their performance.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 21-2-9(c) so general municipal elections held after December 31, 2026 occur in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years.
• Section 1 grants a one-year extension to municipal officers in office on December 31, 2026, except those on two-year terms in cities with staggered terms under § 21-2-541.2.
• Section 1 requires 30 days' public notice of municipal elections in a local newspaper and notice to the Secretary of State, continuing existing practice.
• Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 21-2-150 to remove the option for municipal primaries in odd-numbered years, aligning them with the even-numbered-year general primary schedule.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 21-2-541.2 so local laws governing municipal election dates use even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years as the default.
• Section 4 repeals all laws in conflict with the Act.

1. 2026-02-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
2. 2026-02-03Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
3. 2026-01-28Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
4. 2026-01-27Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)Primary sponsor
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)

• municipal elections
• election law
• local government terms of office
• election scheduling