2012 Georgia state elections

For the election in the country of Georgia, see 2012 Georgian parliamentary election.

2012 Georgia elections

←  2010 November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06) 2014  →

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Georgia on November 6, 2012. Along with the presidential election, all of Georgia's fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives and all seats in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly were up for election, as were two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Primary elections were held on July 31, 2012. Primary runoffs, necessary if no candidate wins a majority of the vote, were held on August 21. ^[1]

Federal Elections

President of the United States

Main article: 2012 United States presidential election in Georgia

Despite incumbent president Barack Obama winning the overall election, Republican Mitt Romney won the state with 53.3% of the popular vote and earned 16 electoral votes in total.

United States House of Representatives

Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia

Republicans won 9 out of 14 districts after a newly drawn congressional map was approved and signed by Governor Nathan Deal.

Georgia General Assembly

All 56 seats in the Georgia State Senate and 180 seats in the Georgia House of Representatives were up for election. ^{[2] [3]}

Georgia State Senate Party Before After Change Republican 36 38 2 Democratic 20 18 2 Total 56 56

Georgia House of Representatives Party Before After Change Republican 114 119 5 Democratic 63 60 3 Independent 1 1 Vacant 2 0 2 Total 180 180

Public Service Commission

District 3 (Metro Atlanta) and District 5 (Western) of the Georgia Public Service Commission were up for election. ^[4]

District 3

2012 Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 election

←  2006 November 6, 2012 2018  →

Candidate Chuck Eaton Stephen Oppenheimer Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,858,663 1,537,923 Percentage 52.10% 43.10%

County results Eaton:      40-50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Oppenheimer:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Commissioner before election Chuck Eaton Republican Elected Commissioner Chuck Eaton Republican

Incumbent commissioner Chuck Eaton sought re-election to a second term in office. ^[5]

Republican primary

• Chuck Eaton, incumbent.
• Matt Reid ^[6]

Primary results

Republican primary results ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Eaton (incumbent)	506,062	59.89
	Republican	Matt Reid	338,858	40.11
Total votes			844,920	100

General election

2012 Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 election ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Eaton (incumbent)	1,858,663	52.10
	Democratic	Stephen Oppenheimer	1,537,923	43.10
	Libertarian	Brad Ploeger	171,138	4.80
Total votes			3,567,724	100
	Republican hold

District 5

2012 Georgia Public Service Commission District 5 election

←  2006 November 6, 2012 2018  →

Candidate Stan Wise David Staples Party Republican Libertarian Popular vote 2,110,146 1,095,115 Percentage 65.83% 34.17%

County results Wise:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Staples:      50–60%     60–70%

Commissioner before election Stan Wise Republican Elected Commissioner Stan Wise Republican

Incumbent commissioner Stan Wise sought re-election to a fourth term in office. ^[5]

Republican primary

• Stan Wise, incumbent.
• Pam Davidson ^[6]

Primary results

Republican primary results ^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Stan Wise (incumbent)	470,937	56.51
	Republican	Pam Davidson	362,424	43.49
Total votes			833,361	100

General election

2012 Georgia Public Service Commission District 5 election ^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Stan Wise (incumbent)	2,110,146	65.83
	Libertarian	David Staples	1,095,115	34.17
Total votes			3,205,261	100
	Republican hold

Judicial Elections

Three seats on the Georgia Supreme Court and five seats on the Georgia Court of Appeals were up for statewide elections. Supreme Court justices Carol Hunstein, Harold Melton and Hugh Thompson and Court of Appeals judges Michael Boggs, Stephen Dillard, John Ellington, Yvette Miller and Herbert Phipps all won their respective races uncontested. ^[11]

Ballot Measures

Amendment 1

Results by county

Yes:

•   70–80%
•   60–70%
•   50–60%

No:

•   70–80%
•   60–70%
•   50–60%

Allows state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities. ^[12]

Amendment 1

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	2,178,183	58.58
No	1,540,198	41.42
Total votes	3,718,381	100.00

Amendment 2

Results by county

Yes:

•   70–80%
•   60–70%
•   50–60%

No:

•   50–60%

Gives the State Properties Commission the authority to enter into multiyear lease agreements. ^[13]

Amendment 2

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	2,266,980	63.77
No	1,287,761	36.23
Total votes	3,554,741	100.00

References

1. "Georgia elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
2. "Georgia State Senate elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
3. "Georgia House of Representatives elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
4. "Georgia state executive official elections, 2012". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
5. Swartz, Kristi E. (2012-07-12). "Donors have stake in PSC decisions". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved 2026-01-02.
6. "Primary Features Ballot Questions, PSC Races". Georgia Public Broadcasting . July 31, 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
7. "Public Service Commission, District 3 - Metro-Atlanta - REP". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
8. "Public Service Commission, District 3 - Metro-Atlanta". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
9. "Public Service Commission, District 5 - Western - REP". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
10. "Public Service Commission, District 5 - Western". Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
11. "November 6, 2012 - General Election". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
12. "Georgia Amendment 1, Provide for State Charter Schools Measure (2012)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
13. "Georgia Multi-Year Rental Agreements, Amendment 2 (2012)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 6 July 2025.