Georgia Voters Head to Polls for Major Local Elections

ATLANTA, Georgia — It is Election Day, and residents across metro Atlanta are casting their votes in key municipal races. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. for voters in Atlanta, following a court ruling for extended hours.

Among the notable races are the reelection campaign of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who faces three challengers amid questions regarding his leadership. Doug Shipman, the current City Council President, is not seeking reelection, leaving Marci Collier Overstreet and Rohit Malhotra to compete for the position.

In South Fulton, Mayor Khalid Kamau is seeking reelection despite facing a criminal trespassing charge and accusations of misusing city funds. Kamau’s attorney represented him in court just a day before the election, with a final plea hearing scheduled for November 18.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) also has two seats up for election. This regulatory body sets utility rates across the state. It has not held elections since 2022 due to a legal challenge that was ultimately unsuccessful.

As of 8:25 p.m., a tight race was reported in Marietta for mayor, with candidates separated by just one vote. Additionally, the Associated Press projected that Andre Dickens would win reelection for mayor of Atlanta.

In preparation for the election, officials across metro Atlanta, including the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, have increased resources at polling locations. This includes adding more poll workers and equipment to help reduce wait times.

Voters in Atlanta are encouraged to check their registration status and polling places ahead of time. As of now, turnout remains relatively low, with early voting figures indicating only about 8% of registered voters have participated thus far.