When voters went to the polls for the mayoral runoff, residents of a Southwest Atlanta neighborhood called Loch Lomond were among them. Loch Lomond had been annexed into Atlanta in 2016.
The neighborhood was part of a precinct that went 86 percent for Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor-elect in the runoff. But around election time, the Supreme Court of Georgia had quietly issued a ruling that apeared to void fhe annexation of Loch Lomond – and that appeared to say its residents didn’t live in the city.
"Residents lawfully thought that they could vote of course," Mary Norwood said.
For Norwood, that decision provided fresh fuel for her to question the runoff election she lost nine days ago, verified by recounts conducted during the day in Fulton and DeKalb Counties.
It’s unclear how many voters showed up from Loch Lomond during the mayoral election and runoff. But to Norwood, it’s clear none of them should have been counted.
"Everyone who is entitled to vote, votes. Everyone who is not entitled to vote, not matter how well intentioned and innocent, can’t vote. That’s the rule," she said.
Robert Highsmith, attorney for Mayor-elect Bottoms told 11Alive News that the Supreme Court ruling didn't invalidate the votes cast by residents of Loch Lomond. A spokeswoman for the Court says the Supreme Court transferred the case back to the Georgia Court of Appeals, which means he case is still pending.
Norwood’s attorney says the same supreme court ruling could also invalidate several other recent Atlanta annexations. The question is whether Norwood’s election challenge, based on this case, will also end up in court. Asked about that Thursday, Norwood walked away and said "stay tuned."
Even if she wins, whether it’s enough to overcome Bottoms 800 plus margin of victory is unknown.
