Early returns: Mableton redevelopment-powers question trails, Cobb SPLOST renewal leads

Partial, unofficial returns posted Tuesday night show Mableton's question on redevelopment powers trailing by 1,140 votes. Cobb County's 1% SPLOST renewal is leading. Neither result is final.

The figures come from the Georgia Secretary of State's results page for Cobb County, which labels the counts "UNOFFICIAL (not certified; counts can still change)." They are current as of 10:04 p.m. ET on Nov. 3.

Mableton's redevelopment powers question

The ballot asked voters whether to approve an Act letting the City of Mableton "exercise all redevelopment powers allowed under the 'Redevelopment Powers Law.'"

As of 10:04 p.m.:

• No: 14,026 votes (52.1%)
• Yes: 12,886 votes (47.9%)
• Total: 26,912 votes

None of the 14 precincts voting on the question had fully reported. Eleven had partly reported, and three had not reported at all.

Cobb SPLOST renewal

The countywide question would renew the 1% special sales tax for up to six years. According to Cobb County, it is expected to raise about $1.15 billion. Mableton is one of seven cities that would get a share.

As of 10:04 p.m.:

• Yes: 191,273 votes (62.1%)
• No: 116,923 votes (37.9%)
• Total: 308,196 votes

None of the county's 148 precincts had fully reported. 115 had partly reported, and 33 had not reported.

What the SPLOST vote decides

Cobb County says a Yes vote keeps the county's total sales-tax rate at 6%. The renewed program would run from Jan. 1, 2028, through Dec. 31, 2033. It would pay for capital projects such as roads, sidewalks, parks and public safety buildings.

If voters say No, the current SPLOST ends Dec. 31, 2027. The county says the county government and the cities would then decide whether to delay, shrink or drop the planned projects, or find other money for them.

What comes next

Under the state's 2026 election calendar, 5 p.m. Nov. 6 is the deadline for provisional voters to turn in their documents, for eligible military and overseas ballots to arrive, and for voters to fix problems with absentee ballots. Counties must certify results by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Counts can change until then.

What we don't know yet

The final margin on Mableton's question is still open. Neither the ballot text nor any other document we reviewed lists specific districts the city plans to create. None of them gives Mableton's dollar share of SPLOST money either.

Hello Mableton will update this story as more returns come in and when the county certifies the results.