Getting Out The Vote

Today is the runoff elections for several major races in Atlanta, including the race for Mayor. The candidates are Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed. If Norwood is elected, she will be the first white mayor in Atlanta since 1974. It has been a contentious race and, unfortunately, the race card has been played more often than not. Putting aside that pretty pointless issue (in my opinion), I cast my vote for Norwood just to get away from the rampant cronyism and nepotism that has plagued our city government for decades. Do I believe Norwood is the second coming? No, but I am willing to give her the chance to prove otherwise. Reed seems like a nice man, but he did several things that annoyed me as a gay voter in a city with a huge gay population: (1) he was the only top mayoral candidate that did not personally march in the Pride Parade (he had a float, but he was nowhere to be seen); and (2) he has come out against gay marriage and for civil unions which to me is completely unacceptable. Norwood marched in the parade and is in favor of gay marriage, so I am willing to put my support behind her.

Voting itself was very easy, as there was no one else voting in my polling place when I went. It is sad that too few people seem to care about the direction of our city. I've heard several people say that Atlanta could easily become the next Detroit, and that scares me. I love living here and want our city to succeed. Here is hoping that whoever gets elected takes a strong approach and leads this city to more prosperous times.