Augusta voters are set to vote on the consolidated government’s latest special purpose local option sales tax package by a referendum that appears on the May 20 ballot.
The Augusta Chronicle addresses the 1 percent sales tax collection in a continuing series until election day.
Q: Is it OK to campaign for or against passage of the sales tax referendum?
A: Yes, under certain conditions. Georgia law prohibits elected officials and government agencies from spending public funds on a campaign, including for promotional materials, and all official descriptions should not “express an opinion” about the proposal, according to Association County Commissioners Georgia, citing Georgia Code 21-5-30 and case law.
It’s legal and not unusual, though, for groups to form and raise funds to spend to promote passage or defeat of a ballot question, according to ACCG.
For the local sales tax referendum, campaign committees must register and file reports with Richmond County Board of Elections when contributions exceed $500. Promotional materials must identify the committee and its principal officer, according to Georgia law.
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