ATLANTA — Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued executive and administrative orders to make it easier for Atlanta residents and employees to vote in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Executive Order increased the amount of hours City of Atlanta employees are permitted to take off to vote in the Nov. 3 election and general election runoff, held Jan. 5, 2021 from two hours to four hours. The expansion to four hours also applies during the early voting periods for the general elections and general election run-off for federal offices.
“Regardless of party affiliation, all Atlanta residents deserve to not only cast their vote, but do so in a safe, open and accessible manner,” Mayor Bottoms said. “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.”
Bottoms was an early Biden supporter and considered for a spot as his vice presidential running mate.
One of Bottoms orders also directs the city to update the Atlanta 311 mobile application to provide the public with information to help voters exercise their right.