ATLANTA - Republicans and Democrats may not agree on much, but they are unified in wanting a limit on the gifts lobbyists can give state lawmakers.
Tuesday's voting on non-binding questions in both parties' primaries also show Republicans split on legalizing casinos as a way to fund education while Democrats think the state shouldn't charter schools when local education boards say no.
The most-talked about was the lobbyist-gift question. With just 60,000 votes counted at 8 p.m., Republicans voted 86 percent in favor of a $100 limit, while Democrats voted 68 percent in support of "ending the current practice of unlimited gifts."
Emory University political science professor Michael Leo Owens says voters see it as an issue of common sense that a gift creates a conflict of interest.
"It's strange that we would have to debate this. Why would legislators get any kind of gift?" he asked.
The GOP casino question came out 49 percent for it and 51 against.
It was fought by the Georgia Family Council in a low-budget, e-mail and social-media campaign.
Ironically, an Atlanta developer who wants to build a casino urged voters to vote no on the question. He said the wording was designed to help opponents.
The GOP ballot also contained a question about adding the so-called human-life amendment to the state constitution. Partly because of efforts by the Christian Coalition and some church groups, the vote came out 68 percent for it, showing the party remains heavily influenced by the social conservatives that have long been dominant.