Macon-Bibb County Senior Homestead Exemption (House Bill 1538)

What it does

Shall the Act be approved which provides a homestead exemption from Macon-Bibb County ad valorem taxes for county purposes: (1) In the amount of $17,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are between the ages of 65 and 74; (2) In the amount of $32,000.00 of the assessed value of the homestead for residents of that county who are between the ages of 75 and 84; and (3) In the amount of the full assessed value of the homestead for residents who are 85 years of age and older?

A YES vote means

Homeowners would get a homestead exemption from Macon-Bibb County property taxes for county purposes: $17,000 of assessed value for ages 65-74, $32,000 for ages 75-84, and the full assessed value for ages 85 and older.

A NO vote means

This senior homestead exemption from Macon-Bibb County property taxes would not be created.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

House Bill 1538, as passed by the Georgia House and Senate in 2026, would create tiered homestead exemptions from Macon-Bibb County taxes for county purposes: $17,000 of assessed value for residents ages 65 to 74, $32,000 for ages 75 to 84, and the full assessed value for residents 85 and older.

The exemptions would apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027. They would not apply to state taxes or to school taxes for educational purposes, and would replace rather than add to other homestead exemptions from county taxes.

Macon-Bibb County says the Mayor and Commission passed a resolution asking the county's local legislative delegation to introduce these exemptions, which apply regardless of income. It says homeowners can currently claim a $7,000 homestead exemption.

Put on the ballot by Georgia General Assembly, House Bill 1538 (2026 local act), which requires a November 2026 referendum in Macon-Bibb County; requested by Macon-Bibb Commission resolution.

From official source 1, official source 2.

Next elections here

• Georgia general and special election runoff · December 1, 2026: the races aren't published yet
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Macon-Bibb County Senior Homestead Exemption (House Bill 1538) mean?

Homeowners would get a homestead exemption from Macon-Bibb County property taxes for county purposes: $17,000 of assessed value for ages 65-74, $32,000 for ages 75-84, and the full assessed value for ages 85 and older.

What does a NO vote on Macon-Bibb County Senior Homestead Exemption (House Bill 1538) mean?

This senior homestead exemption from Macon-Bibb County property taxes would not be created.

How many votes does Macon-Bibb County Senior Homestead Exemption (House Bill 1538) need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Macon-Bibb County Senior Homestead Exemption (House Bill 1538)?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.