Georgia voters to decide on Public Service Commission during midyear election
After a court challenge delayed the election for two Public Service Commission seats in 2024, those races are now back on the ballot.
GEORGIA, USA — Georgia voters are heading into a summer showdown that could impact their utility bills for years to come.
After a court challenge delayed the election for two Public Service Commission (PSC) seats last year, those races are now back on the ballot, and every registered voter in the state has a say.
Despite being district seats, PSC members are elected at-large, meaning all Georgians can cast a vote.
The election was originally scheduled for November 2024, but a lawsuit challenging the at-large election system led to a delay.
Although the suit was ultimately dismissed in June 2024, it was too late to keep the election on its regular cycle.
“There was a lawsuit brought basically making a civil rights claim that was knocked down, but it took a long period of time to get through it, so we’ve missed a couple of general elections,” Gabriel Sterling from the Secretary of State’s Office said. “To kind of get back on schedule, the legislature chose to put two seats on in 2025.”
Early voting begins Tuesday, May 28; Election Day is set for June 17. If a runoff is needed, it will take place on July 15.
The PSC regulates critical public utilities across the state, including electric and gas providers like Georgia Power and Atlanta Gas Light.
“They set the rates that those companies can charge the consumer,” Sterling explained.
Although turnout is expected to be low, officials say that makes individual votes even more powerful.
“It’s going to be an extremely low turnout, so your vote’s going to matter more than normal,” Sterling added.
The election comes just as the Georgia Public Service Commission and Georgia Power announced a three-year freeze on Georgia Power rates. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp touted the announcement, based on an agreement made by GPSC and Georgia Power.
“While other states are raising their rates to make ends meet, we are freezing ours because of smart choices,” Kemp said. “It allows the utilities and the Public Service Commission to stay in a pro-growth mode and meet the needs that are out there.”
The freeze aims to shield Georgia customers from rising costs but still requires official approval. Public hearings are scheduled for June 26, with a final PSC vote expected by July 1.
If you’re a registered Georgia voter, you can participate in this election, regardless of which PSC district you live in. Given the commission’s role in regulating utility costs, the outcome of this race could hit close to home for millions of residents.
