You've got questions: Here's every local and state ballot question you'll see May 21

Local and state political leaders would like to ask you a few questions.

The May 21 general primary/special election isn't just about selecting the best candidates to represent your interests in the halls of government.

During elections, America's two main political parties take the opportunity to ask voters how they feel about selected issues by adding "nonbinding advisory questions" on election ballots.

While the collected answers don't directly affect public policy, they do offer political leaders a glimpse into voters' minds.

Also, not everyone will be asked the same questions. State Democratic and Republican leaders selected eight questions to ask voters in their respective parties.

County party leaders asked more questions. Richmond County's Republican Party added three questions to GOP ballots. Columbia County Republicans added six questions.

Perhaps Richmond County's biggest question is at the root of a May 21 special election: Can Augusta's mayor vote with commissioners instead of solely as a tiebreaker? If a majority says "yes," the decision becomes official July 1.

Columbia County's nonbinding questions saved perhaps the biggest hypothetical for last: Do you support the incorporation of Columbia County? The proposal would be to incorporate the county’s entire land area, except the cities of Grovetown and Harlem, into a new city. That city would then immediately merge with Columbia County to create a consolidated government.

Also, bear in mind when reading the ballot questions that their wording can be crafted to encourage a specific outcome.

Here are the nonbinding advisory questions that will appear on Richmond and Columbia counties' ballots May 21:

Will Columbia County consolidate?Here’s what residents need to know

Richmond County special election: "Shall the Act be approved that provides that the mayor of Augusta-Richmond County shall have the right to vote on all matters before the Augusta-Richmond County Commission?"

On all Democratic ballots:

“Should the United States and the State of Georgia protect Georgians from gun violence by banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, closing background check loopholes, and passing other commonsense gun safety reforms?”

“Should the State of Georgia incentivize clean energy production as part of a climate policy that recognizes the urgent threat that climate change poses to Georgians’ health, lives and future?”

“Should the State of Georgia expand voter access by allowing same-day voter registration, removing obstacles to voting by mail, and making secure ballot drop boxes accessible at all times through Election Day?”

"Should the State of Georgia protect reproductive freedom by repealing the current six-week abortion ban, restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade and ensuring access to contraceptives, IVF, abortion and other reproductive health care?”

“Should the State of Georgia stop using taxpayer dollars intended for public education to pay for private school vouchers?”

“Should the State of Georgia raise the minimum wage to a living wage?”

“Should the portion of the Georgia state constitution allowing for involuntary servitude of prisoners and others convicted of offenses be repealed, thus prohibiting all forms of slavery and involuntary servitude statewide?”

“Should the State of Georgia improve access to safe, affordable housing by increasing the affordable housing supply, protecting tenants’ rights to habitable living conditions, and cracking down on negligence or abuse by property management companies or landlords?"

On all Republican ballots:

"For future elections, do you want hand-marked paper ballots, scanned and verified by hand count on live stream video?”

“Should the legislature enact the FairTax replacing the state income tax and state sales tax with a consumption tax equal to current state funding and taxing no legal citizen or family up to the poverty level of spending?”

“Should the legislature ban registered lobbyists from serving on the State Elections Board?”

“Should the Georgia Republican Primary have a closed primary, meaning that only registered Republicans would be allowed to vote in the Republican Primary?”

“Should public officials who allow illegal migration to occur be held responsible for crimes committed by illegal aliens?”

“Would you support a statewide vote to allow gaming in Georgia so the voters can decide this issue instead of politicians in Atlanta?”

“Currently, hundreds of thousands of hours and dollars are spent every year cleaning up voter rolls. Would you support an amendment to the National Voting Rights Act that would require registered voters to renew their registration every four years?”

“Do you believe unelected and unaccountable international bureaucrats, like the UN controlled World Health Organization (WHO), should have complete control over management of future pandemics in the United States and authority to regulate your healthcare and personal health choices?"

Richmond County Republican questions

"Would you support funding a new jail or an expansion of the current jail from the next special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST 9) if it would enable our law enforcement officials to arrest, prosecute and detain more criminals?"

"Would you support a comprehensive, forensic audit of the Augusta-Richmond County government charter and recommend changes to improve the overall operation and efficiency of the Augusta-Richmond County government?"

"Would you support the establishment of a committee to review the Augusta-Richmond County government charter and recommend changes to improve the overall operation and efficiency of the Augusta-Richmond County government?"

Columba County Republican questions

"Do you believe our elected officials, local and state, have a duty to keep the borders and communities of Georgia sovereign and safe from illegal aliens?"

"Should Georgia implement a measure to prevent non-US citizens, particularly those from China, from owning land within the state's borders?"

"For future elections, do you want to cast your vote with secure hand marked paper ballots, hand counted at the precinct vs. machine voting?"

"Should Georgia move to a closed primary, where electors must register as a Republican, for instance, in order to vote in the Republican primary?"

"Do you believe candidates should undergo a background check, criminal or otherwise, as well as other screening measures, before qualifying for office?"

"Do you support the incorporation of Columbia County?"