Cherokee County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
33 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Cherokee County races, led by the Cherokee County Commission Chairman contest.
County offices
Commission ChairmanHarry B. Johnston (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Harry B. Johnston (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Commission Chairman.
Harry B. Johnston Republican
Harry B. Johnston is the incumbent Chairman of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, per the county's elected officials directory. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Harry B. Johnston.
Republican incumbent Harry B. Johnston ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (34,952 votes) and no Democrat or independent qualified, so he is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report.
Full race pageCommission District 1Will Cagle (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Will Cagle (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Commission District 1.
Will Cagle Republican
Will Cagle is the incumbent Cherokee County Commissioner for District 1, per the county's elected officials directory. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Will Cagle.
Republican incumbent Will Cagle ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (11,067 votes) and no Democrat or independent qualified, so he is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report.
Full race pageCommission District 4Corey Ragsdale (R) · Steven Rogers (D)
Corey Ragsdale (Republican) and Steven Rogers (Democratic) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Commission District 4.
Corey Ragsdale Republican
- Keep county-controlled taxes low and enforce the county's land use plan
- Continue supporting the Sheriff's office, Marshal's office and Fire Department
- Focus on parks and recreation, road improvements and maintenance, and responsible growth in District 4
Per the campaign site.
About Corey Ragsdale
Ragsdale is the sitting Cherokee County Commissioner for District 4, seeking reelection after seven years in office, per the campaign site. He is a lifelong Cherokee County resident whose family has lived in the area for more than 190 years, per the campaign site.
Steven Rogers Democratic
- Manage growth responsibly so roads, schools and infrastructure keep pace
- Bar corporations from owning residential properties in the county
- Keep county budgets efficient while preserving funding for libraries, social services and parks
Per the campaign site.
About Steven Rogers
Rogers has 17 years of experience in the information technology security industry, per the campaign site. Rogers also brings more than a decade of community service through Scouts BSA and parent-teacher organizations, per the campaign site.
Republican incumbent Corey Ragsdale was unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (7,044 votes) and Democrat Steven Rogers was unopposed in the Democratic primary (4,304 votes); the two meet in the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report.
Full race pageSolicitor GeneralTodd Hayes (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Todd Hayes (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Solicitor General.
Todd Hayes Republican
Todd Hayes is the sitting Cherokee County Solicitor-General, having held the office since 2019, per the campaign site. Hayes previously served as chief assistant solicitor-general for Cherokee County and as an assistant district attorney for the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, and holds a law degree and an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, per the campaign site.
Republican incumbent Todd Hayes ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (35,004 votes) and no Democrat or independent qualified, so he is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report. Unlike the county's judicial races (Superior Court, State Court judge), which appeared as nonpartisan contests decided by the full electorate in the same report, this office was run on the Republican-only partisan primary ballot, indicating Cherokee's Solicitor General seat is a partisan county office.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of Education District 3Chance Beam (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chance Beam (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Board of Education District 3.
Chance Beam Republican Incumbent
Chance Beam is the incumbent District 3 board member, a Woodstock business owner appointed to the board in February 2025 who has coached youth baseball and softball, per the school district's board page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Chance Beam.
Republican incumbent Chance Beam ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (6,043 votes) and no Democrat or independent qualified, so he is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report. This school board seat is elected on a partisan ballot in Cherokee County.
Full race pageBoard of Education District 4Rick Steiner Rechsteiner (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rick Steiner Rechsteiner (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Board of Education District 4.
Rick Steiner Rechsteiner Republican Incumbent
Rick Steiner Rechsteiner is the incumbent District 4 board member, a former professional wrestler and realtor who has served on the board for 19 years, per the school district's board page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Rick Steiner Rechsteiner.
Republican incumbent Rick Steiner Rechsteiner ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary (4,751 votes) and no Democrat or independent qualified, so he is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report. This school board seat is elected on a partisan ballot in Cherokee County.
Full race pageBoard of Education District 5Erin Ragsdale (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Erin Ragsdale (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Board of Education District 5.
Erin Ragsdale Republican Incumbent
Erin Ragsdale is the incumbent District 5 board member, a former teacher and speech-language pathologist who joined the board in 2023, per the school district's board page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Erin Ragsdale.
Republican incumbent Erin Ragsdale finished ahead of Trent Bass in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary, 3,481 votes (70.9%) to 1,427 (29.1%); no Democrat or independent qualified, so she is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report. This school board seat is elected on a partisan ballot in Cherokee County.
Full race pageBoard of Education District 6Hayden Holcomb (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Hayden Holcomb (Republican) is on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cherokee County Board of Education District 6.
Hayden Holcomb Republican
- Strengthen recruitment and retention to attract and support high-quality educators
- Protect taxpayer dollars through transparent budgeting and disciplined long-term planning
- Support every student's growth and wellbeing
Per the campaign site.
About Hayden Holcomb
Hayden Holcomb is the founder of Holcomb Financial and a former senior leader at a local Chick-fil-A, a seventh-generation Cherokee County resident and school district graduate, per his campaign site.
This is an open seat: incumbent Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, listed on the Cherokee County School District's board page and the county's March 2026 elected-officials directory, did not appear on the May 19, 2026 primary ballot for District 6. Republican Hayden Holcomb finished ahead of Ann O'Mara in the Republican primary, 3,769 votes (62.5%) to 2,266 (37.5%); no Democrat or independent qualified, so Holcomb is unopposed for the November 3, 2026 general election, per the Cherokee County Board of Elections' official Election Summary Report. This school board seat is elected on a partisan ballot in Cherokee County.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Cherokee County is split across 12 Georgia Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressGeorgia Senate: 3 districtsDistricts 21, 32, 56
Georgia Senate District 21Jason T. Dickerson (R) · Kori Simmons (D)
Jason T. Dickerson Republican Incumbent
- Eliminating the state income tax
- Opposing abortion
- Supporting election security measures
Per the campaign site.
About Jason T. Dickerson
Jason T. Dickerson is a Republican candidate for Georgia Senate District 21 and a Cherokee County businessman who co-founded Quest Trucking, per his campaign site. He and his family operate the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation, which funds utility and rent assistance, veteran housing support, and scholarships in Cherokee County, per his campaign site.
Kori Simmons Democratic
- A practical, results-driven approach to public safety
- A practical approach to education policy
Per the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News voter guide.
About Kori Simmons
Kori Simmons is a candidate for Georgia Senate District 21, which covers northern and eastern Cherokee County and North Fulton County, per the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jason T. Dickerson (Republican), Kori Simmons (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Jason T. Dickerson is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia Senate District 32Kay Kirkpatrick (R) · Michael Hettig (D)
Kay Kirkpatrick Republican Incumbent
- supports expanding patient access and choice in Georgia's health insurance system
- has focused on addressing rising costs and budget deficits in Georgia's child welfare system
Per the campaign site.
About Kay Kirkpatrick
Kay Kirkpatrick is an orthopedic surgeon who practiced in metro Atlanta for more than 30 years, according to her campaign website. She chairs the Georgia Senate Children and Families Committee, per the same site. Kirkpatrick represents Georgia Senate District 32.
Michael Hettig Democratic
- Updating the school funding formula and competitive teacher pay
- Expanding affordable health insurance access, particularly in rural areas
- Practical economic policies that benefit local communities
Per the Marietta Daily Journal voter guide.
About Michael Hettig
Michael Hettig is an attorney who holds a J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law and lives in Woodstock, per a Marietta Daily Journal voter guide. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Kay Kirkpatrick (Republican), Michael Hettig (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Kay Kirkpatrick is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia Senate District 56John Albers (R) · Patrick Thompson (D)
John Albers Republican Incumbent
- supports legislation protecting emergency communications for first responders
- supports property tax reduction and eliminating the state income tax
Per the campaign site.
About John Albers
John Albers is a fourth generation firefighter and former EMT who also has a background as a business executive, per the campaign site. He represents Georgia's 56th Senate District and chairs the Senate Committee on Public Safety, per the campaign site.
Patrick Thompson Democratic
- Affordable healthcare
- Support for public schools
- Sustainable job creation and smart growth, including expanded transit
Per the campaign site.
About Patrick Thompson
Patrick Thompson is an entrepreneur with a career in information technology, including work for Ross Perot's firm, and now focuses on renewable energy and electric vehicle businesses in Georgia, per Patch. He has received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award and has served as a scoutmaster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
John Albers (Republican), Patrick Thompson (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John Albers is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House: 9 districtsDistricts 11, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 44, 46, 47
Georgia House District 11Rick Jasperse (R) · Ryan Fountain (D)
Rick Jasperse Republican Incumbent
- supports full K-12 education funding
- supports state income tax cuts, including eliminating it for most seniors
- supports Second Amendment rights
Per the campaign site.
About Rick Jasperse
Rick Jasperse represents Georgia House District 11 and chairs the House Education Committee, per the campaign site. He describes himself as someone who puts in the time studying and understanding legislation, per the campaign site.
Ryan Fountain Democratic
- A Georgia Achievement Fund to invest in students
- Closing the Medicaid coverage gap and lowering healthcare costs
- Economic policies aimed at protecting family budgets
Per the candidate profile.
About Ryan Fountain
Ryan Fountain is a lifelong resident of Ball Ground who works as an ATM technician, per his candidate profile. He was raised as the oldest of four children in a single-parent household. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Rick Jasperse (Republican), Ryan Fountain (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Rick Jasperse is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 14Mitchell Scoggins (R) · Bella Bautista (D)
Mitchell Scoggins Republican Incumbent
Mitchell Scoggins worked as a Bartow County firefighter and in the county tax commissioner's office before serving seven terms as probate judge from 1989 until his retirement in 2016, per his official House biography. He represents House District 14, covering portions of Bartow and Cherokee counties, per his official House biography. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Bella Bautista Democratic
- Eliminate tax breaks for large data center projects in the district
- Freeze electricity prices
- Invest in local infrastructure and combat data surveillance
Per the Rough Draft Atlanta.
About Bella Bautista
Bella Bautista founded and leads This Doesn't Define Me, a nonprofit that advocates for transgender rights at the state Capitol, per Rough Draft Atlanta. She is running for Georgia House District 14 in Bartow County.
Mitchell Scoggins (Republican), Bella Bautista (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Mitchell Scoggins is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 20Charlice Byrd (R) · Jason D. Tanner (D)
Charlice Byrd Republican Incumbent
Charlice Byrd is the Republican state representative for Georgia House District 20, per her campaign site. A former classroom educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southeastern Louisiana University, she has represented the district for more than a decade and chairs the Georgia State House Freedom Caucus, per her campaign site.
Jason D. Tanner Democratic
- Wage indexing tied to the Consumer Price Index and opposing property tax abolition that would harm schools
- State legislation on tech-company safety-by-design standards and classroom device limits
Per the campaign site.
About Jason D. Tanner
Jason D. Tanner is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 20 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Tanner is the director of forensics at the Social Media Victims Law Center and a former U.S. Secret Service special agent and Marine Corps officer, per his campaign site. He lives in Woodstock with his wife and children.
Charlice Byrd (Republican), Jason D. Tanner (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Charlice Byrd is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 21Brad Thomas (R) · Anthony Aragues (D)
Brad Thomas Republican Incumbent
- responsible growth management
- lowering the tax burden
- public safety funding
Per the campaign site.
About Brad Thomas
Brad Thomas represents Georgia House District 21, covering Cherokee County, and has served four years in the seat, per his campaign site. He is a registered mechanical engineer and owner/partner in a local engineering firm, and is a U.S. Navy veteran, per his campaign site.
Anthony Aragues Democratic
- Affordability and cost-of-living relief for families
- Limited government and constitutional accountability
Per the campaign site.
About Anthony Aragues
Anthony Aragues is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 21 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Aragues is VP of engineering for TradeLedger, a business lending company, and previously served four years as a computer systems specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps, per his candidate profile. This is his first run for public office, per the same profile.
Brad Thomas (Republican), Anthony Aragues (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Brad Thomas is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 22Jordan Ridley (R) · James Shade (D)
Jordan Ridley Republican Incumbent
- Supports empowering local communities and expanding educational opportunity
- Supports protecting parental rights and government transparency
Per the campaign site.
About Jordan Ridley
Jordan Ridley is the Republican state representative for Georgia House District 22 in Cherokee County running for re-election, per his campaign site. He has a background in public policy and grassroots leadership and sponsored House Bill 845, which established an internal auditor for the Cherokee County Board of Education, per his campaign site.
James Shade Democratic
- Address housing costs, property taxes, and wage stagnation relative to inflation
- Invest in infrastructure and education
Per the Tribune Ledger News voter guide.
About James Shade
James Shade is a corporate legal professional and policy advocate and a 20-year resident of Cobb County, per a Tribune Ledger News voter guide. He holds a Bachelor of Law from National University and a Master of Jurisprudence from Florida State University College of Law. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jordan Ridley (Republican), James Shade (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Jordan Ridley is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 23Bill Fincher (R) · Rob Epstein (D)
Bill Fincher Republican Incumbent
Bill Fincher is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 23 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Bill Fincher is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list and the General Assembly's roster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Rob Epstein Democratic
- Reducing the influence of corporate money in politics
Per candidate profile.
About Rob Epstein
Rob Epstein is a retired engineering manager who lives in Canton, per his candidate profile. He is a widowed father of two sons and a graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in business focused on computer information systems. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Bill Fincher (Republican), Rob Epstein (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Bill Fincher is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 44Don L. Parsons (R) · Danielle Bell (D)
Don L. Parsons Republican Incumbent
Don L. Parsons is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 44 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Don L. Parsons is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list and the General Assembly's roster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Danielle Bell Democratic
- Support for families through accessible healthcare and education
- Accountable, transparent government focused on constituents over special interests
Per the campaign site.
About Danielle Bell
Danielle Bell is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 44 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Bell works in healthcare and mental health leadership as an executive coach and previously worked as a clinical therapist, per her campaign site. She is from rural Indiana, holds degrees from DePauw University and Case Western Reserve University, and lives in Woodstock, per the Cobb County Courier.
Don L. Parsons (Republican), Danielle Bell (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Don L. Parsons is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 46John Carson (R) · Dumont J. Walker (D)
John Carson Republican Incumbent
John Carson is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. John Carson is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list and the General Assembly's roster. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Dumont J. Walker Democratic
- Lowering costs for families
- Strengthening public education
- Expanding access to affordable healthcare
Per the campaign site.
About Dumont J. Walker
Dumont Walker has worked in marketing and communications for nearly two decades, including for nonprofits, per his campaign site. He is a husband, father and nonprofit leader.
John Carson (Republican), Dumont J. Walker (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; John Carson is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageGeorgia House District 47Jack Miller (R) · Lindsay Defranco (D)
Jack Miller Republican
- Property tax relief for residents
- Keeping zoning decisions with local officials to guard against overdevelopment
Per the Milton Herald (Appen Media).
About Jack Miller
Jack Miller is a Republican candidate for Georgia House District 47, covering Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell and Mountain Park, per his campaign site. A financial planner, he serves as president of the Milton First Responders Foundation and received the city's Silver Horseshoe of Service Award in 2025, per his campaign site.
Lindsay Defranco Democratic
- Redirect state budget surplus toward school funding and property tax relief
- Close Georgia's healthcare coverage gap by expanding Medicaid
- Increase investment in public schools and childcare assistance
Per the campaign site.
About Lindsay Defranco
Lindsay Defranco is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 47 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. DeFranco grew up in Fulton County and has two children in Fulton County Schools, per her campaign site. She co-founded a media literacy nonprofit and served as vice president at Rogue Rocket, leading a news show focused on critical thinking and accountability, per the same site.
Jack Miller (Republican), Lindsay Defranco (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Jan Jones (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
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Georgia nominees were set by the May 19 primary and June 16 runoffs; unopposed nominees still print on November 3, and any November race without a majority winner goes to a December 1 runoff, per state law.
Who is on the ballot in Cherokee County, Georgia on November 3, 2026?
Cherokee County sample ballot 2026: see where the commission, commission chairman and board of education candidates stand on schools, the budget and taxes. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Georgia?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Georgia are listed on the Georgia election hub. Georgia election hub →
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Georgia statewide racesEvery Georgia race on this county's ballot.All Georgia ballot measures3 statewide ballot measuresCandidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.