EXHALE. We think it’s finally safe to say this: the Public Service Commission elections in November will happen.

They’ve been canceled twice because of litigation. But things cleared somewhat on Wednesday when Georgia Conservation Voters withdrew their lawsuit saying the rescheduled elections were unconstitutional because they extended the six-year terms of the incumbents.

“My dismissal was very much rooted in not trusting the outcome even if we were legally right,” said Brionte McCorkle, the group’s executive director and lead plaintiff in the case. “If we won, what would happen? The races would get rescheduled once again. It’s not worth kicking the elections down the road and allowing them to escape accountability.”

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger applauded the decision, saying it would give Georgia voters “their long-overdue voice at the ballot box.”

“Election officials across the state now have certainty to prepare for November, ensuring a free, fair and fast election,” he said.

PSC elections were canceled in 2022 and 2024 stemming from a federal judge’s order in a separate lawsuit alleging that electing commissioners statewide — instead of by districts — discriminates against Black voters. That litigation is still pending.

Two PSC races are on the ballot in November.

Republican Tim Echols, who was last elected in 2016, faces Democrat Alicia Johnson. And Republican Fitz Johnson, who has never been elected after Gov. Brian Kemp appointed him in 2021, faces Democrat Peter Hubbard.