When Columbus voters head to the polls this fall, they'll find three proposed changes to the Georgia Constitution near the bottom of the ballot, below the races for governor and U.S. Senate. Each one asks a simple yes-or-no question, but the official wording can be hard to follow.

Here's what each amendment would do, in plain English.

Amendments are listed in the order given in the state's official summaries. Check your own sample ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov to see exactly how they appear for you.

Amendment 1: Money for upgraded 911 systems

What it does: Allows the Georgia General Assembly to create a Georgia Next Generation 9-1-1 Fund and dedicate money to it. The money could be used only to expand, maintain and operate the state's 911 emergency system.

What "Next Generation 911" means: It's the upgrade from older phone-based 911 systems to digital ones that can better handle texts, photos and video and pinpoint where a caller is.

Why it needs an amendment: Georgia's constitution generally doesn't allow lawmakers to lock money into a fund for one purpose. This amendment makes an exception for 911, so the money can't be spent on something else.

Support: The amendment passed both the Georgia House and Senate unanimously.

• A YES vote allows the dedicated 911 fund.
• A NO vote keeps things as they are, with no dedicated fund.

Amendment 2: A bigger tax break for large farms and timberland

What it does: Raises the maximum amount of farm and timber land that can qualify for Georgia's "conservation use" property tax break, from 2,000 acres to 4,000 acres per owner.

How the tax break works: Land enrolled in the program is taxed at 40% of its value as farmland or timberland, rather than at what it might sell for to developers. Owners agree to keep the land in farming, timber or conservation.

What it would mean: Owners of larger farms and timber tracts could enroll more of their land in the tax break. Supporters see it as a way to protect farmland and green space from development. Because more acres would be taxed at the lower rate, it could also reduce the property tax collected on that land, which helps fund local governments and schools.

• A YES vote raises the limit to 4,000 acres.
• A NO vote keeps the 2,000-acre limit.

Amendment 3: Nonpartisan elections for probate judges

What it does: Requires all probate judges in Georgia to be elected on a nonpartisan basis, so candidates would no longer run as Democrats or Republicans.

Why it matters: Probate judges are currently the only judges in Georgia who still run in partisan elections. Every other judge in the state, from magistrate to the Georgia Supreme Court, already runs without a party label. Each county elects one probate judge to a four-year term.

What probate court does in Muscogee County: The probate court handles matters that touch many families: wills and estates, guardianships, marriage licenses and Georgia weapons carry licenses, among other duties.

Support: The amendment passed with strong support from both parties in the legislature, and former Govs. Nathan Deal (R) and Roy Barnes (D) have both backed it. In Columbus, six local leaders signed a letter supporting it. (Read our story: Six Columbus leaders support nonpartisan elections for probate judges.)

• A YES vote makes probate judge elections nonpartisan.
• A NO vote keeps partisan probate judge elections.

How to vote in Columbus

• Early voting: Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Friday, Oct. 30, including Saturday, Oct. 17. Early voting sites include the City Services Center, 3111 Citizens Way. Find the full list of locations and hours at columbusga.gov/elections.
• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at your assigned precinct.
• See your sample ballot and polling place: mvp.sos.ga.gov (Georgia's My Voter Page).
• Runoff (if needed): Tuesday, Dec. 1.