Traffic, data-center development and county spending are central issues in the race between Republican incumbent JoAnn Birrell and Democratic challenger Kevin Redmon for Cobb County Commission District 3.

The candidates outlined their priorities in a Marietta Daily Journal voter guide published Oct. 8. District 3 voters can begin casting early ballots Tuesday, Oct. 13, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Birrell was first elected in 2010 and took office in 2011. Redmon describes himself as an IT executive with 30 years of business experience and service on a commissioner’s Community Cabinet.

Traffic and roads

Redmon favors using crash data to identify priority locations for intersection upgrades, traffic calming and school-zone improvements. He also pointed to sidewalk gaps as a safety concern.

Birrell supports intersection improvements, grade separators, diverging diamond interchanges and roundabouts. She said the I-75 managed lanes have helped traffic, while major roads within Cobb still need attention.

Both addressed voters’ rejection of the Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or MSPLOST, in 2024. Redmon said the outcome should be respected while the county evaluates other transportation options.

Data centers and development

Both candidates support requiring data centers to obtain a Special Land Use Permit, which would bring proposals before county officials for review. Birrell also wants to limit the facilities to Heavy Industrial zoning districts.

Redmon supports creating a Unified Development Code to consolidate and update the county’s development rules.

The county extended its moratorium on new data-center applications in August while staff prepared regulations, as East Cobb News reported.

Residents can comment on the proposed code changes at hearings Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. and Oct. 27 at 7 p.m., according to the county’s public notice. Both take place in the second-floor commissioners’ meeting room at the David Hankerson Building, 100 Cherokee St., Marietta. A vote is scheduled for Oct. 27.

Spending and housing

Birrell said she wants to reduce spending on outside consultants when county staff can perform the work. She opposed the roughly $1.4 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, which commissioners approved 3–2 on July 28.

Redmon favors tying spending to measurable results and requiring developers seeking incentives to demonstrate a public benefit.

On homelessness, Birrell identified housing affordability as a central concern. Redmon favors coordinating with nonprofits and connecting residents with employment resources.

How to vote

The Cobb County advance-voting schedule runs Oct. 13–30. Locations include the East Cobb Government Service Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, and the Tim D. Lee Senior Center, 3332 Sandy Plains Road.

Weekday hours are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday voting on Oct. 17 and 24 runs 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The East Cobb Government Service Center also offers Sunday voting Oct. 18 and 25 from noon to 5 p.m.

The absentee ballot application deadline is Friday, Oct. 23. On Election Day, Nov. 3, voters must use their assigned precinct, where polls will be open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.