For the first time in five years, Georgians have the opportunity to vote on the people who set their utility rates. Early voting started this week for two of the five seats on the Public Service Commission.
PSC members represent districts, but are also elected statewide, and a lawsuit challenging that system delayed the two elections. The lawsuit, which alleged that the system discriminated against Black candidates, was ultimately dismissed. Now the election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025.
In District 2 (which includes Athens), Republican incumbent Tim Echols, who has held office since 2011, faces Democratic challenger Alicia Johnson, a Savannah health care executive. District 3 incumbent Fitz Johnson, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to represent part of metro Atlanta, faces Democrat Peter Hubbard, a renewable energy advocate.
The primary issue is power rates — the PSC raised them six times in the past two years before agreeing with Georgia Power on a three-year freeze.
Many cities also have municipal elections this fall, which could boost Democrats in the PSC races, but as a nonpartisan unified government, most local elections in Athens happen in the spring of even-numbered years, coinciding with partisan primaries. Winterville does have a city council race on the ballot.
Click here for a schedule of early voting times and locations.
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