When voters decide whether to make cities out of South Fulton and Stonecrest, they'll bring metro Atlanta's incorporation movement into a new phase.

If the potential new cities are approved, they would add to the patchwork of dozens of local governments across metro Atlanta, where eight municipalities have been created over the last decade. These communities are among the last of the obvious candidates for cityhood, with distinct areas and established identities.

Rejection of the cityhood referendums could also spell a slowdown in city formation by giving elected leaders pause before they sign off on the creation of more new towns.

Georgia lawmakers last week approved placing South Fulton and Stonecrest on the ballot in November.