Voter Eligibility / Elegibilidad del Votantes

Those who reside within the Suwanee city limits who are registered voters have the ability to elect the Mayor and City Council members, or to vote on special referendums. Please note that simply having a Suwanee mailing address does not necessarily mean you live within city limits.

Click here to find out if you live within the Suwanee city limits.

Aquellos que residen dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Suwanee y que son votantes registrados tienen la capacidad de elegir al alcalde y a los miembros del Concejo Municipal, o votar en referéndums especiales. Tenga en cuenta que el simple hecho de tener una dirección postal de Suwanee no significa necesariamente que viva dentro de los límites de la ciudad.

Haga clic aquí para averiguar si vive dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Suwanee.

Registering to Vote / Registrarse para Votar

Online voter registration / Registro de votantes en linea

Mail-in registration / Registro por correo

• Voter Registration Deadline: October 6
• Fecha límite para el registro de votantes: 6 de octubre

County Registrar / Registrado del Condado

• Gwinnett County Voter Registrations & Elections Office
  Oficina de Elecciones y Registro de Votantes del Condado de Gwinnett
  
  Physical Address / Direccion fisica
  455 Grayson Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  
  Mailing Address / Direccion de Envio
  75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  
  Telephone / Telefono
  678-226-7210

City ONLY Elections
A completed Absentee Ballot Application must be submitted no earlier than 78 days and no later than 11 days prior to the election before an absentee ballot can be issued. The application may be submitted by:

Email to the City Clerk: rodonnell@suwanee.com
Deliver or mailed to: City of Suwanee City Clerk, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee, GA 30024

Cuidad UNICAS Elecciones
Se debe presentar una Solicitud de boleta de voto en ausencia completada no antes de 78 días y a más tardar 11 días antes de la elección antes de que se pueda emitir una boleta de voto en ausencia. La solicitud podrá ser presentada por:

Correo electronico a la secretaria de la ciudad: rodonnell@suwanee.com
Entregar o enviar por correo a: City of Suwanee City Clerk, 330 Town Center Ave.,  Suwanee, GA 30024

The City of Suwanee is governed by a Mayor and five (5) Councilmembers, who each run for a specific post and are elected by a city-wide majority vote. City elections are non-partisan (i.e., candidates do not run as members of a particular political party, and their individual party affiliations are not relevant to their position in City government.) Elected officials serve for a term of four (4) years and until their respective successors are elected and sworn in. Terms begin January 1 after the general election.

In order to run for Mayor or City Council, candidates must:

• Be a City of Suwanee resident for at least 180 days prior to qualifying
• Continue to reside in the City throughout their period of service
• Be qualified to vote in municipal elections.

The Mayor and City Council determine policies, enact legislation and provide political leadership in the community. There are normally two (2) scheduled monthly meetings which are held in the evening. In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, there are additional requirements of varying times and frequency including, but not limited to, budget meetings, homeowners association meetings, Gwinnett Municipal Association meetings, appointed board meetings, constituent engagements, annual retreats, and annual conferences and training. Some of these meetings are held during typical business hours, nights, and weekends; certain meetings may last multiple days and require overnight stay (typically 2-3 times annually).

• The qualifying period for a Suwanee Municipal General Election will usually be held the third week of August, between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. 

• Notice of Candidacy and Affidavit  (to be submitted only during qualifying period)
• Payment of Qualifying fee (check or money order payable to City of Suwanee)

Once qualifying closes, all candidate names and the posts they are seeking will be posted on the City website.  Please be aware that newspapers will generally request this information and publish it as well.  Please provide email address information and advise us whether this information is permitted to be listed on our website so that voters may also contact you directly.

All successful new candidates are required to attend state training for newly elected officials.Two offerings are usually scheduled, one in Athens and one in Tifton.

Online resources and references

It is the responsibility of the candidate to be familiar with and comply with all campaign-related laws, rules, and regulations. There are several important documents and deadlines pertaining to all candidates for public office. Failure to adhere to the policies and filings as required by the State Ethics Commission may result in monetary fines.

Click here for Election information on the Georgia Secretary of State's website

Click here to review State Ethics Commission information, rules, and forms

Declaration of Intent (DOI) – If you are currently not a public officer holding elective office and you plan to run for public office, you must file a DOI prior to accepting or expending campaign contributions. This simply means a DOI is filed by a brand new candidate, not by an incumbent candidate because he/she would have already filed one when he/she was considered a new candidate. However, if the incumbent candidate is running for a different office, then he/she is a brand new candidate for that office and a DOI is required. The information from the DOI is utilized to establish an account for the filer within the State Ethics Commission's database. The Form DOI is filed with the City Clerk. 

Affidavit of Candidate’s Intent Not to Exceed $2,500 in Contributions and/or Expenditures – This document is filed with the City Clerk.

Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PFDS) – All qualified candidates must file a Personal Financial Disclosure.  This report is to be filed with the City Clerk within 15 days of qualifying or significant fines will be imposed. 

Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report (CCDR) – In 2025, post-qualifying, the report must be filed on the following dates and may not be filed prior to the due date:

• September 30
• October 25
• December 31

All candidates must file reports, regardless of whether any money was raised or spent, unless the amount is less than $2,500 and the candidate has filed an Affidavit Not to Exceed $2,500 in Contributions and/or Expenditures. The CCDR is filed with the City Clerk.

Two Business Days Report of Contribution Received (CCDR-TBD) – To be used to report contributions (including loans) of $1,000 or more if received between the last report due before an election and the election. This must be reported two business days after receipt.

Registration of Candidate Campaign Committee (RC) – Candidates are not required to have a campaign committee.  However, if a candidate forms a campaign committee, the candidate must register the committee with the GGTCFC prior to accepting any contributions.  No contribution may be accepted at any time there is a vacancy in either the position of chairman or treasurer.  One person may serve as both chairperson and treasurer.  No candidate may have more than one committee.  The Form RC is filed with the State Ethics Commission.

Choosing Option of Separate Accounting (COOSA) – A candidate who wishes to accept contributions for more than one election at a time shall separately account for such campaign contributions and shall file an “Option to Choose Separate Accounting” form with the State Ethics Commissionprior to accepting contributions for any election other than the next upcoming election and only if contributions are to be accepted for more than one election at a time. If this option is chosen, a separate bank account may be opened for each election. A candidate is only required to file one COOSA form which is used for all subsequent elections to the same elective office, regardless of whether an election occurs in a new election cycle.

Additional Information

There are references and documents that are important reading for the Georgia Public Official. All candidates should familiarize themselves with:

• Constitution of the State of Georgia
• City of Suwanee Charter
• City of Suwanee Political Sign Policy
• Rules & Regulations of the State Election Board
• Handbook for Georgia Mayors and Councilmembers published by Betty J. Hudson and Paul T. Hardy in conjunction with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government

Please note:  It is the responsibility of the candidate to identify the appropriate statutes required for the candidacy process. Qualifying Officer responsibilities include providing candidates with information needed to comply with the various election regulations and answering questions about the election itself and the city and its regulations.

For more information or to obtain a qualifying packet (available July 1, 2025) contact Robyn O'Donnell at 770-904-2790.

Resolution and Notice to Set Qualification Fees for November 4, 2025 General Municipal Election

2025 Ordinance to Call Election, Republish Qualifying Dates, and Set Poll Official Compensation