Photograph by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
So it’s come to Tuesday. All the mailers, forums, and last-minute dirty tricks all lead us to this important day in Atlanta history. Starting at 7 a.m., voters who did not cast early ballots will help decide the person who should succeed Kasim Reed as mayor of Atlanta. Turnout is expected to be low, which means a small number of votes could determine whether a candidate ekes out a spot in a December runoff—or in races with fewer challengers, perhaps an outright victory. Polls close at 8 p.m. Please go vote.
Know before you go:
Find your polling place (and review a sample ballot) by entering your info at the Georgia secretary of state’s My Voter Page. Get to the voting precinct before polls close at 8 p.m.—if you’re standing in line before then, you can still vote—and be sure you have your photo ID. That can include a driver’s license or these other forms of accepted ID. Walk up, hand the poll workers your ID, and then cast your ballot. Don’t forget to ask for one of those stickers with the peach when you’re finished. Remember, no selfies while you’re in the voting booth.
If you’re still researching your vote:
Procrastinators, we feel you—it’s a big, crowded election. But don’t go in unprepared.
11 Questions for Atlanta’s Mayoral Candidates—hear from most of the candidates, in their own words, on income inequality, transit, homelessness, crime, marijuana, and more.
Which Atlanta Mayoral Candidate is Right For Me?—Need a cheat sheet to the mayoral election? We’ve got you covered.
Everything You Need to Know About the 2017 Atlanta City Council Races in 10 Minutes—Find your city council district here, then read up on the races, plus the at-large positions
And check out our complete election coverage at our Atlanta Election Guide 2017.
The mayoral candidate election night parties:
Peter Aman: The former city chief operating officer, who public polls show hovering around third in the race for a runoff spot, will watch results at the Hotel Indigo downtown—not the Midtown location—beginning at 8 p.m.
Rohit Ammanamanchi: The Georgia Tech graduate and first-time political candidate says he’s most likely celebrating in a private setting.
Keisha Lance Bottoms: The councilwoman who went from low in the polls to a likely contender for a runoff spot will set up in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta downtown. Doors open at 6 p.m.
John Eaves: Head to Midtown’s the Establishment at Colony Square around 7 p.m. to meet up with the Fulton County chairman and his pack of supporters.
Vincent Fort: Fans of the state senator will find him starting at 8 p.m. “until all the votes are counted” at the CWA Hall on Logan Street in Grant Park.
Kwanza Hall: Expect to find Hall, who’s repped Old Fourth Ward and other vibrant eastside neighborhoods since 2004, in the heart of his council district at 444 Highland.
Ceasar Mitchell: Starting at 7 p.m., the Council president’s supporters will watch results—and a decent view of the city skyline—at Park Tavern in Midtown.
Mary Norwood: The Buckhead councilwoman, a likely contender for a spot in the expected runoff, will gather with supporters at 103 West. The fun should start around 7:30 p.m.
Cathy Woolard: A strong favorite to carry some southeast Atlanta neighborhoods, the former council president will hold court starting at 8:30 p.m. at Six Feet Under on Memorial Drive.
Glenn Wrightson: The Grant Park resident, a dark horse candidate who wants to ban plastic bags and leaf blowers, is keeping it close to home. In a text, Wrightson says he’s “looking at Kro Bar at Glenwood, keeping with frugality.”
Don’t want to leave the house? Follow @AtlantaMagazine on Twitter as we fan out to several election night parties and post updates.
Election results:
WSB-TV, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11 Alive, and other news organizations should all provide real-time—or as close to real-time as possible—results. If you prefer to check official government sources, here’s a link to Fulton County’s Board of Elections page. The interactive features will allow you to check on the status of individual precincts as well. Here’s a handy GIS map of precincts. Remember that part of Atlanta is located in DeKalb County. Here’s where the county’s results should be posted.
Curious how early votes were cast? Here’s where and when people voted the most in DeKalb and Fulton.