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ATLANTA — On Election Day, a majority of Georgia voters chose more than just who they wanted for the next President of the United States.

In addition to picking former President Donald Trump to return to the White House in January, more than 50% of Georgia voters also approved three ballot measures related to taxes and property values.

As a result, homeowners and other Georgians will benefit from a broader homestead exemption and will also see the creation of a Georgia Tax Court.

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Here are the 3 tax-related ballot questions Georgia voters approved

Constitutional Amendment 1:

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for a state-wide homestead exemption that serves to limit increases in the assessed value of homesteads, but which any county, consolidated government, municipality, or local school system may opt out of upon the completion of certain procedures?

Constitutional Amendment 2

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to vest judicial power of the state in the Georgia Tax Tribunal; to provide for venue and jurisdiction of the Georgia Tax Tribunal; to provide for concurrent jurisdiction with superior courts; to provide for judges of the Georgia Tax Tribunal and their qualifications; to provide for vacancies; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Referendum A:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property tax exemptions and deferral, so as to increase a statewide ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property; to specify the terms and conditions of the exemption and the procedures relating thereto; to provide for applicability; to provide for related matters; to provide for compliance with constitutional requirements; to provide for a referendum, effective dates, and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Here’s what the ballot items will do

Constitutional Amendment 1:

Constitutional Amendment 1 allows municipalities to put a limit on how much a home’s value can be increased each year due to inflation.

That means that the value of a home will not increase more than the rate of inflation, as reported by the Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As written, the amendment works through a two-fold setup.

The value of a homestead, where you actively reside, will not be increased more than the inflation rate each year.

Additionally, it creates a new option for local sales taxes, which would act as a supplement the collection of property taxes. Even though voters approved the amendment, local municipalities are still able to opt-out of the exemption, but must vote to do so by March 2025.

The municipalities and local government officials the amendment is focused on include county commissions, consolidated government officials, elected city leaders like council members or mayors if they have the power to change tax rates and Board of Education members.

Constitutional Amendment 2:

Constitutional Amendment 2 will create the Georgia Tax Court for tax-related court cases. Now passed, the Georgia Tax Court would be in the judicial branch and replace the Georgia Tax Tribunal, which is currently part of the executive branch.

The Georgia Tax Court, once created, will rule on cases involving tax disputes between businesses and the Georgia Department of Revenue. Currently, all appeals go through the Fulton County Superior Court, which is not an appellant court. The move is expected to take some of the load off of the current court docket.

Like the current Georgia Tax Tribunal, judges for the Georgia Tax Court will be appointed by the Governor. The appointments will be subject to approval by majority votes in the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee and the Georgia House Committee on Judiciary.

Referendum A:

Now passed, Referendum A gives Georgia property owners more wiggle room when it comes to filing exemptions on their property taxes.

Currently, the Georgia personal property tax exemption caps at $7,500 for ad valorem payments. As a result of the referendum, the value limit will be increased to a $20,000 exemption.

According to the legislative text for the item, “All tangible personal property of a taxpayer, except motor vehicles, trailers, and mobile homes, shall be exempt from all ad valorem taxation if the actual fair market value of the total amount of taxable tangible personal property owned by the taxpayer,” up to $20,000.

Lawmakers wrote in the bill that it was intended to ensure “the payment of ad valorem taxation certain tangible personal property on which the tax due does not exceed the reasonable cost of administering and collecting the tax.”

The provision will take effect in the following tax year, beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

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Trump is looking to flip the state of Georgia back to being a red state after flipping blue in the 2020 election.

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ATLANTA — As the final votes continue to come into the battleground state of Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger said that former President Donald Trump's lead is too great to overcome in the state.

Raffensperger provided an update to Georgians during a 10:45 p.m. news conference, in which he said that Trump has an "insurmountable lead with the number of votes outstanding."

Trump is looking to flip the state of Georgia back to being a red state after flipping blue in the 2020 election for the first time since the 1992 election when Bill Clinton defeated George Bush.

As of publication, Trump had garnered 2,602,408 voters compared to Harris' 2,483,919 with 93% of precincts reporting. Click here to see the presidential election map.

RELATED: Taking a look at who is leading in the presidential election results right now

The secretary of state touted Georgia's voting wait times, saying the average was just three minutes throughout the day -- and as low as one minute.

Raffensperger said it "looks like it's going to be a short night" while saying the election results were already "baked in" except for several down-ballot races that could potentially head to runoffs in the state.

"Today, I am grateful to the voters of Georgia. I work every day to protect you, the voter, and that is what I've done. I have put you first," Raffensperger said.

He touted his ability to help create fair elections in Georgia and ensuring that only those allowed to vote in the state were able to cast a ballot. He also had a message for those who tried to interfere with elections in the Peach State on Tuesday.

"And to those who tried to interfere in our elections today, I have a message for you: you messed with the wrong Georgian. Your attempt to so discord and strife didn't work," Raffensperger said. "We will meet you and beat you next time as well. Counties around Georgia received 60 bomb threats, and we still had record turnout."

Finally, Raffensperger thanked the thousands of poll workers, calling them the "real national heroes" to help foster fair elections.

This post is sponsored and contributed by Kolter Homes, a Patch Brand Partner.

Community Corner

Signature concert series celebrated 60th anniversary of the Beatles invading America

Kolter Homes, Brand Partner

This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.

Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes, a Kolter Homes active adult community located in Hoschton, Georgia, recently hosted Liverpool Legends, a Beatles tribute band. This year is the perfect year to celebrate the Beatles as it’s the 60th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in the United States. As a part of the Kolter Homes signature concert series, residents gathered in the community’s outdoor amphitheater space and bandshell for an evening exploring the vast Beatles catalog that comprised the 1964 British Invasion.

"At Cresswind communities, social activities are truly the heart of our vibrant lifestyle,” said Jennifer Landers, community director at Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. “We believe they bring residents together for shared experiences that create lasting bonds and make our neighborhoods feel like home.”

Many of Cresswind Georgia’s residents may recall when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, drawing a record-breaking 73 million viewers. While the crowd at Cresswind Georgia wasn’t that large, the Beatlemania was just as obvious, with the crowd singing along to every tune.

Endorsed and handpicked by Louise Harrison, the older sister of late Beatles member George Harrison, Liverpool Legends is an internationally acclaimed group known for world-famous performances. They have headlined the Rose Bowl multiple times, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and recorded a Grammy-nominated Beatles cover album titled Fab Fan Memories.

"Our signature concert series embodies the Cresswind 'Set Yourself FREE' pillars of Fitness, Relationships, Education and Entertainment," said Kolter Director of Lifestyle Mark LaClaire. "These events not only provide fantastic entertainment but also foster connections among residents, encourage an active lifestyle, and promote a sense of community that enhances the overall living experience at Cresswind."

In addition to the signature concert series, Cresswind Georgia offers various resident-led clubs, including the Friends of Monarch Club, Veterans Club, Cooking Club, Just Craftin’ Around Club, Dance Club, Pickleball Club and Trail Blazer’s Hiking Club, to name a few.

Cresswind, Georgia, is aptly named for the two lakes on the property, offering residents extensive waterside and outdoor amenities. Residents can fish, kayak or canoe on either of the two lakes and explore on foot via the network of community walking paths.

Additional outdoor recreation options at Cresswind Georgia include a resort-style pool, event lawn, community garden and, most impressively, 21 planned pickleball courts and a covered “Eagle’s Nest” spectators pavilion, with plans to expand to over 40 total pickleball courts to become the largest private pickleball complex in Georgia. The Club at Cresswind also offers a variety of indoor amenities, including a lounge with soothing lakeside views, an indoor pool with lap lanes, a cutting-edge SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, an arts and crafts room and multiple event spaces.

Homes at Cresswind Georgia are priced from the high $300,000s to over $1 million and offer home designs with personalization options to accommodate various needs and preferences. These include golf cart garages, finished or unfinished upper-level bonus rooms, daylight basements, flexible room configurations and enclosed patios, as well as hundreds of finish selections at the community’s on-site Design Studio.

To learn more about Cresswind Georgia, visit www.CresswindGeorgia.com. For complete details regarding the latest Cresswind communities throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, visit www.Cresswind.com.

For more information regarding Liverpool Legends and upcoming performance dates, visit www.LiverpoolLegends.com.

This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.

Georgia Amendment 1 – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure with over 60% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Associated Press called it earlier in the evening.

This homestead tax exemption will freeze the values of all homesteads in Georgia for the purposes of property taxes, capping property tax increases statewide.

Property value determines the amount of taxes that homeowners pay. With the passage of the measure, property values will now be based on a yearly assessment of the consumer price index, meaning that property tax increases won’t outpace inflation.

The exemption will last as long as the homeowner owns the home.

2024 Georgia Elections

It’s a critical election year, and Georgia is at the center of it. Stay in the know with WABE’s 2024 Georgia Elections page, where you can find WABE’s latest election news and podcast episodes, important dates, voting locations, candidate info, results and more.

When a new homeowner buys the home, the property’s value resets to the actual value, and the new homeowner may pay significantly higher taxes than the previous homeowner.

WABE housing reporter Stephannie Stokes reports that property taxes fund a significant portion of local governments and school districts. The state law for the measure allows governments to add a sales tax to make up for lost revenue.

Local governments can opt out of the exemption, but the process requires a series of public meetings and the adoption of a resolution before March 2025.

Georgia Amendment 2 – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure as of 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

This measure will create a new statewide tax court in the judicial system. Currently, tax cases are heard by a tribunal in Georgia’s executive branch.

A statewide tax court would run concurrent with the Georgia Superior Court, meaning both courts have jurisdiction over such cases.

The new measure would also move tax case appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals rather than being heard in Fulton County Superior Court.

Georgia State Rep. Chuck Martin told WABE that this would “unburden” the Superior Court and put appeals in the correct venue.

Georgia Referendum A – PASSED

Georgia voters approved this measure with over 60% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

With the passage of this measure, Georgia will raise the maximum threshold for property tax exemptions on tangible personal property owned by businesses.

The previous threshold for tax exemptions was on property worth $7,500 or less. The new threshold is on property worth $20,000 or less.

The last time the maximum threshold was raised was in 2002, when voters approved a measure to raise it from $500 to $7,500.

Republican State Rep. Mike Cheokas, a co-sponsor of H.B. 808, which put the measure in front of voters, said it’s meant to relieve the burden of inflation on small businesses.

However, opponents of the measure point out that the decrease in tax revenue could negatively impact public services that are funded by taxes.

This is a developing story.

The approval of a Georgia tax court was up in the air as the night nearly came to an end Tuesday.

Patch Staff

|Updated Tue, Nov 5, 2024 at 11:33 pm ET

Updated at 11:33 p.m. Tuesday

GEORGIA — A proposal to amend local option homestead property taxes, which would affect property assessments, is likely to pass in Georgia, according to unofficial election returns.

Voters made their selections on two additional taxation measures in the 2024 general election.

The three measures included establishing a tax court with judicial powers (HR 598), making property worth less than $20,000 exempt from personal property taxes (HR 1022) and exempting local option homestead property taxes (HB 808).

All votes are unofficial until certified.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For full coverage of the election in Georgia, go here.

RELATED: GA Elections 2024: Here's Statewide Ballot Measures To Know

Local Option Homestead Property Tax Exemption Amendment (HR 1022) (Proposed Amendment 1)

The amendment would permit counties, consolidated governments, municipalities or school systems to opt of tax exemptions. It would impact homestead property assessments, limiting how much they can be raised annually based on the inflation rate of the previous year.

Tax Court Amendment (HR 598) (Proposed Amendment 2)

This would create the Georgia Tax Court and permit it to have statewide jurisdiction. The court would have the same jurisdiction as "the state business court and superior courts in equity cases," according to Ballotpedia. Under the tax amendment, superior courts would be able to order case removals to the business or tax courts.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2

Personal Property Tax Exemption Increase Measure (HB 808) (Statewide Referendum Question A)

Small businesses could exempt machinery, equipment, fixtures and supplies from property taxes, The Tax Foundation said. It would affect compliance costs but would minimally influence state government, the foundation said.

House Resolution 598 would create the Georgia Tax Court and permit it to have statewide jurisdiction. The Georgia Tax Court would have the same jurisdiction as "the state business court and superior courts in equity cases," according to Ballotpedia. Under the tax amendment, superior courts would be able to order case removals to the business or tax courts.

The fate of House Bill 581 is based on the passage of House Resolution 1022, which would permit counties, consolidated governments, municipalities or school systems to opt of tax exemptions.HR 1022 would impact homestead property assessments, limiting how much they can be raised annually based on the inflation rate of the previous year, according to Parker Poe Attorneys and Counselors at Law.

Passing House Bill 808 would increase "the sales tax exemption threshold of tangible personal property from $7,500 to $20,000," the Georgia Chamber said. Under the proposed bill, small businesses could exempt machinery, equipment, fixtures and supplies from property taxes, The Tax Foundation said. HB 808 would affect compliance costs but would minimally influence state government, the foundation said.