Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Issues Exec Orders to Expand Voting Access

08/28/20 Atlanta, GA – Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued Executive and Administrative Orders to expand access to the polls and make it easier for Atlanta residents and employees to vote in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Regardless of party affiliation, all Atlanta residents deserve to not only cast their vote, but do so in a safe, open and accessible manner,” said Mayor Bottoms. “The dysfunction we saw across the state during the Primary was unacceptable. In 2020, we should be making it easier for people to exercise their Constitutional right to vote—because access to the polls is access to our democracy.”

The Executive Order increases the amount of hours City of Atlanta employees are permitted to take off to vote in the November 3, 2020 election and General Election Runoff held January 5, 2021 from two hours to four hours. The expansion to four hours is also applicable during the Early Voting period scheduled for the General Elections and General Election Run-off for Federal Offices.

The Administrative Order:

• Directs the City’s Chief Operating Officer to work with the Fulton and DeKalb Boards of Registration and Elections to identify how the City may assist the Boards through the possible provision of City facilities and resources to help ensure all eligible persons have an opportunity to safely vote in the General and subsequent run-off Elections scheduled for November 3, 2020.
• Directs the Chief of Staff to engage with the Atlanta Postmaster to obtain a comprehensive understanding of any operational changes made by the United States Postal Service which may affect of inhibit mail delivery services for Atlanta residents between now and the General Election.
• Directs the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of Customer Service to update the Atlanta 311 mobile application to provide the public with all voting information necessary to ensure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote.

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Did you know that the public can attend Board of Registration and Elections meetings? 

These meetings are open to the public by Georgia law. Georgia Open Meetings Act.

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