6 candidates are tracked across 3 Oconee County races for the 2026 election, led by the Georgia Senate District 46 contest. Preview your Oconee County, Georgia sample ballot for 2026: browse tracked local races, then enter your ZIP code to confirm which districts and offices appear on your exact ballot.
These race previews show candidates we’re tracking now. A ZIP code shows your statewide and congressional races; a street address adds county and city contests.
Enter your ZIP code at theballotbrief.com to see your exact 2026 ballot.
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Local Snapshot
Election DayNov. 3, 2026
StateGeorgia
Races Listed3
Profiles6
Oconee County Sample Ballot 2026: Races We’re Tracking
Local races are address-specific. This guide previews tracked contests, while the lookup tool narrows the list to a voter’s exact address. Tap any name to see the race, full candidate profiles, and everything else on your exact ballot. Georgia nominees were set by the May 19 primary and June 16 runoffs; unopposed nominees still print on November 3, and any November race without a majority winner goes to a December 1 runoff, per state law.
Marc McMain (Republican), Ray Smith (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Sen. Bill Cowsert (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Marc McMain · Republican▾
Marc McMain is the Republican candidate for Georgia Senate District 46 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.
Ray Smith is a Watkinsville software engineer and second vice-chair of the Oconee County Democratic Party, per The Oconee Enterprise. He holds a computer science degree from the University of Georgia and worked in financial technology in Atlanta before relocating to the Athens area. No campaign website or questionnaire response was found as of September 7, 2026.
Priorities: Housing affordability, including zoning reform for smaller and lower-cost homes · Rural healthcare access and Medicaid expansion · A statewide childcare support fund (per The Oconee Enterprise)
Gary "Ward" Black Jr. (Republican), Suzanna Karatassos (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Houston Gaines (Republican), the sitting member per the General Assembly's roster, is not on the November ballot. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Gary "Ward" Black Jr. · Republican▾
Gary "Ward" Black Jr. is the Republican candidate for Georgia House District 120 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list. Black is the owner and CEO of Solid Ground Services and Supply and a partner in Harmony Grove Farms and Harmony Grove Plant Company, with more than 15 years in agribusiness and supply chain logistics, per Main Street News. He is a University of Georgia graduate and the son of former Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, per the same report.
Priorities: Infrastructure investment to reduce traffic congestion · Strengthen early literacy in K-12 schools · Support small businesses and farmers (per the campaign site)
Suzanna Karatassos spent 17 years in the apparel industry, including a year working in Amsterdam, before returning to the Athens area during the COVID-19 pandemic, per Main Street News. She lives in Jackson County with her husband and daughter, per Flagpole.
Priorities: Affordable healthcare · Lower utility and housing costs · Fully funded public schools (per the Flagpole)
Mack "Dutch" Guest IV (Republican), Eric Gisler (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Eric Gisler is the sitting member, per the Secretary of State's certified list. Party nominees were chosen at the May 19 primary and June 16 runoff (majority rule); independents qualified by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's certified November 2026 candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Mack "Dutch" Guest IV · Republican▾
Mack "Dutch" Guest IV is a small business owner who helps manage LAD Truck Lines, a Watkinsville-based trucking company, per his campaign site. He is a former president of the Oconee County Rotary Club and the Touchdown Club of Athens.
Priorities: Public safety · Affordability for Georgia families · Community service and servant leadership (per the campaign site)
Eric Gisler is the Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 121 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate list.
Note: Use address lookup for your exact ballot; local pages preview tracked races.Profiles: Hand-verified profiles are added race by race; always confirm with the official election office linked above.
