Amendment 3: A state fund for modern 911Lets lawmakers put existing 911 money in a fund used only for a modern statewide 911 system
Read the full text of the measure: Secretary of State's 2026 constitutional amendments booklet (PDF)
In plain words
Georgia's 911 system has changed little since 1968. "Next Generation 911" is an internet-based system that would let callers send texts, photos and video, and let 911 centers pass calls to each other. Normally Georgia's constitution does not let lawmakers lock money into one use. This amendment lets them set up a fund that can be spent only on 911, and that does not go back to the general budget at the end of the year (it is "nonlapsing"). Lawmakers would pass a later law saying what money goes in. (ajc.com )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly 911 fee on a phone line | $1.50 | $1.50 (no automatic change) |
| Where that fee money goes | Local 911 centers | Lawmakers could send it to a state 911 fund |
| Can the money be used for other things? | Constitution does not lock it to 911 | Fund money may be used only for 911 systems |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (ajc.com )
Biggest change
- Creates a fund whose money can only go to building, keeping up and running 911 systems in Georgia, and that does not lapse at the end of the budget year. source: ballotpedia.org
- The 911 fee stays at $1.50 a month; the measure "would not create a new 911 fee." source: gacities.com
Who it affects most: Anyone who calls 911, and the city and county 911 centers that answer the calls.
Cost to the state: No new tax or fee. Lawmakers put $5.7 million in the amended 2025 budget as start-up money for the project. How much would go into the fund later is up to a future law.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Lawmakers may set up a state fund, paid from existing 911 money, that can be spent only on 911 systems.
No dedicated 911 fund; 911 money stays as it is handled today.
Our one-line summary. Georgia does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- Lawmakers have talked about a statewide Next Generation 911 system for years, but the money was uncertain. A House study committee recommended a steady source by moving a local 911 charge into the fund. source: theaugustapress.com
- The House passed it 162-0 on March 4, 2026. In the Senate it first fell short (31-14 on March 19) when Democrats voted no to protest being left out of talks, then passed 49-0 on March 31. source: ballotpedia.org
- Sen. Derek Mallow (D-Savannah) said Democrats' first no vote was about not being consulted, not about 911: until "we can find a way to work together in this chamber, I'm going to vote no." source: theaugustapress.com
Why supporters want it
- Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta): "It makes the first responders safer and gives them the ability to react to the situation." source: capitol-beat.org
- Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones (D-Augusta), on slow 911 answers: "We hear many stories: They call 911, a person may not answer." source: capitol-beat.org
Why opponents object
- No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- For: both parties in the General Assembly (unanimous final votes). Against: no organized opposition found. The Georgia Municipal Association says it is watching the measure and has not taken a position. No public record found of campaign money for either side. source: gacities.com
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of State's official amendments booklet .
Official wording to come. We publish it only after checking it word for word against the official file.
Official text to come: it has not been copied word for word from the Secretary of State's booklet yet.
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
Full text of the measure
The full text is on file with the probate judge in each county and in the Secretary of State's 2026 Constitutional Summaries booklet. It adds subparagraph (s) to Article III, Section IX, Paragraph VI of the Georgia Constitution. Read it in the Secretary of State's 2026 constitutional amendments booklet (PDF) .
Read more
- Secretary of State: 2026 Constitutional Amendments summaries booklet (PDF)
- Capitol Beat: lawmakers put 911 upgrades on the ballot
- Georgia Municipal Association: the 911 amendment
- AJC: the amendments on the November ballot
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.