Paulding County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
23 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 14 Paulding County races, led by the Paulding County Commission Post 2 contest.
County offices
Commission Post 2Jeff Cole (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeff Cole Republican
Jeff Cole appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Paulding County Commission Post 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Jeff Cole.
Open seat: Sandy Kaecher, the sitting Post 2 commissioner per the county's official commissioners page, was not a candidate, and none of the three May 19, 2026 Republican primary candidates carried an incumbent designation in the county's certified results. Jeff Cole won that primary outright with 2,347 of 4,075 votes (57.6%) over David Dial (858) and Wendell Jay Purvis (870), avoiding a runoff. No Democrat qualified, so Cole is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageCommission Post 3Virginia Galloway (R) · Taurus Madric-Morris (D)
Virginia Galloway Republican Incumbent
Virginia Galloway is the incumbent Paulding County Commissioner for Post 3. She has worked as a sales representative for a technology solutions company and previously spent seven years as regional field director for the Faith and Freedom Coalition, per a Dallas-Hiram Patch candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Virginia Galloway.
Taurus Madric-Morris Democratic
- Attract quality businesses while supporting local enterprises to create jobs
- Prioritize responsible transportation planning, road improvements, and long-term infrastructure development
- Run a transparent, fiscally responsible, and accessible county government
Per the campaign site.
About Taurus Madric-Morris
Taurus Madric-Morris is a business owner with a background in business, accounting, and project management, per her campaign site. She is running for Paulding County Commission Post 3.
Incumbent Republican Virginia Galloway and Democrat Taurus Madric-Morris each ran unopposed in their May 19, 2026 primaries, per the county's official Democratic and Republican composite ballots, and meet on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot.
Full race pageCommission Post 4Dean Schneider (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dean Schneider Republican Incumbent
Dean Schneider is the incumbent Paulding County Commissioner for Post 4, per the county's official commissioners page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Dean Schneider.
Incumbent Republican Dean Schneider won the May 19, 2026 primary outright over Scott Richards, 3,205 to 2,318 votes (58.0% of 5,523 cast), avoiding a runoff, per the county's certified results. No Democrat qualified, so Schneider is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageDistrict Attorney, Paulding Judicial CircuitRobert S. Lane (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert S. Lane Republican
Robert S. Lane appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for District Attorney, Paulding Judicial Circuit, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Robert S. Lane.
Incumbent Robert S. Lane won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary outright over Colleen Hampton, 11,499 to 6,104 votes (65.3% of 17,603 cast), per the county's certified results. No Democrat qualified, so Lane is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The Paulding Judicial Circuit serves Paulding County per the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia.
Full race pageSchool board
Board of Education District 2Nicholas Chester (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nicholas Chester Republican Incumbent
Nicholas Chester is the incumbent District 2 member of the Paulding County Board of Education, per the school district's official board members page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Nicholas Chester.
Incumbent Nicholas Chester won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary outright over Shane Miller, 11,158 to 5,569 votes (66.7% of 16,727 cast), per the county's certified results. Rhonda Williams had appeared as the unopposed Democratic candidate on the pre-primary Democratic composite sample ballot, but no Democratic County BOE District 2 contest appears anywhere in the county's certified May 19, 2026 results, indicating she did not appear on the ballot as printed. Chester is therefore unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Education District 5Jeff Byrd (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeff Byrd Republican
Jeff Byrd appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Paulding County Board of Education District 5, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Jeff Byrd.
Open seat: Trudy Sowar, the sitting District 5 board member per the school district's official board members page, was not a candidate. Jeff Byrd ran unopposed in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary and no Democrat qualified, per the county's official composite ballots and certified results, so he is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Full race pageBoard of Education District 6Tara Buzzelli (R) · Matthew Ardis (D)
Tara Buzzelli Republican
Tara Buzzelli appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Paulding County Board of Education District 6, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Tara Buzzelli.
Matthew Ardis Democratic
Matthew Ardis appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Paulding County Board of Education District 6, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Matthew Ardis.
Open seat: Dan Nolan, the sitting District 6 board member per the school district's official board members page, was not a candidate. Republican Tara Buzzelli and Democrat Matthew Ardis each ran unopposed in their May 19, 2026 primaries, per the county's official composite ballots, and meet on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Paulding County is split across 7 Georgia Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressGeorgia Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 30, 31
Georgia Senate District 30Timothy J. Bearden (R) · Wanda Cooper (D)
Timothy J. Bearden Republican Incumbent
Timothy J. Bearden is the Republican candidate for Georgia Senate District 30 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Timothy J. Bearden 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.
Wanda Cooper Democratic
- Pursue HOA reform and accountability
- Oppose large-scale data center development through zoning protections
- Address affordable housing and predatory rental practices
Per the campaign site.
About Wanda Cooper
Cooper describes herself on the campaign site as a community leader rather than a career politician, with a background organizing residents across Douglas, Carroll, Paulding and Haralson counties since 2020, per the campaign site. She is running for Georgia Senate District 30, per the campaign site.
Timothy J. Bearden (Republican), Wanda Cooper (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Timothy J. Bearden 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 31Jason R. Anavitarte (R) · Alec Miller (D)
Jason R. Anavitarte Republican Incumbent
- Opposing tax increases
- Supporting a technical college system alongside four-year college paths
- Opposing abortion
Per the campaign site.
About Jason R. Anavitarte
Jason R. Anavitarte is the sitting Georgia State Senator for District 31, covering Paulding and Polk counties, per his campaign site. He previously served on the Paulding County School Board and the Doraville City Council, and colleagues elected him Senate Majority Caucus Chair in 2023, per his campaign site.
Alec Miller Democratic
- Jobs in healthcare, clean energy, skilled trades and manufacturing through workforce training
- Making Georgia more affordable for working families
- Paid parental, caregiving and bereavement leave
Per the candidate profile.
About Alec Miller
Alec Miller is a married father of one who works as a corporate trainer, per his Paulding County Democrats candidate profile. His campaign focuses on families in Paulding and Polk counties. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Jason R. Anavitarte (Republican), Alec Miller (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Jason R. Anavitarte 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: 5 districtsDistricts 16, 17, 18, 19, 40
Georgia House District 16Trey Kelley (R) · Diana Spangler (D)
Trey Kelley Republican Incumbent
- supports limited government and lower taxes
- supports Second Amendment rights, including constitutional carry
- supports parental rights in education
Per the campaign site.
About Trey Kelley
Trey Kelley was first elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 2012, according to his campaign website. He grew up in Cedartown, Georgia, the son of two educators, per the same site. Kelley represents Georgia House District 16.
Diana Spangler Democratic
- Strengthening public education
- Expanding access to affordable healthcare
- Fostering more responsive government
Per the campaign site.
About Diana Spangler
Diana Spangler is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 16 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Spangler is a child advocate and community volunteer and a long-time Paulding County resident who has worked on literacy initiatives supporting struggling readers and families dealing with dyslexia, per Paulding County Democrats.
Trey Kelley (Republican), Diana Spangler (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Trey Kelley 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 17Martin Momtahan (R) · Ke'Andra Foggie (D)
Martin Momtahan Republican Incumbent
Martin Momtahan is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Martin Momtahan 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.
Ke'Andra Foggie Democratic
Ke'Andra Foggie is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Martin Momtahan (Republican), Ke'Andra Foggie (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Martin Momtahan 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 18Tyler Paul Smith (R) · Pat Rhudy (D)
Tyler Paul Smith Republican Incumbent
Tyler Paul Smith is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Tyler Paul Smith 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.
Pat Rhudy Democratic
Pat Rhudy is seeking the Georgia House District 18 seat for a fifth time, per the Times-Georgian. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Tyler Paul Smith (Republican), Pat Rhudy (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Tyler Paul Smith 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 19Joseph Gullett (R) · Cynthia Starke-Jones (D)
Joseph Gullett Republican Incumbent
- Supports lower taxes and reduced government spending
- Supports expanding telehealth access and school choice options for parents
Per the campaign site.
About Joseph Gullett
Joseph Gullett is the Republican state representative for Georgia House District 19, covering parts of Paulding County, per his campaign site. He and his wife adopted through Georgia's foster care system, per his campaign site.
Cynthia Starke-Jones Democratic
- Quality education
- A safe and supportive school environment
Per the campaign site.
About Cynthia Starke-Jones
Cynthia Starke-Jones is a resident of Dallas, Georgia, per her campaign Facebook page. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Joseph Gullett (Republican), Cynthia Starke-Jones (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Joseph Gullett 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 40Kimberly R. New (R) · Elisa Lassiter (D)
Kimberly R. New Republican Incumbent
Kimberly R. New is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Kimberly R. New 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.
Elisa Lassiter Democratic
- Economic stability and support for working families
- Healthcare, affordable housing and dignified living for seniors
- Accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities
Per the campaign site.
About Elisa Lassiter
Lassiter has more than 20 years of experience in government, non-profits and community service, including work with the Atlanta Regional Commission on aging services and AmeriCorps grant management, per the campaign site. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in counseling and psychology, and is a certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner, per the campaign site.
Kimberly R. New (Republican), Elisa Lassiter (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Kimberly R. New 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 pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
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 Paulding County, Georgia on November 3, 2026?
Paulding County sample ballot 2026: see where the commission post 3, board of education and commission post 2 candidates stand on housing and health care. 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 →
How do I see my exact Paulding County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Georgia statewide racesEvery Georgia race on this county's ballot.All Georgia ballot measures3 statewide ballot measuresCandidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.