Atlanta City Council Elections: How They Work and How to Vote

Atlanta City Council elections shape how the city spends money, sets policy, and plans for the future. If you live in Atlanta, understanding when elections happen, what each council seat does, and how to cast your ballot can help you have a real voice in what happens in your neighborhood.

This guide focuses specifically on Atlanta, Georgia—not the metro area or other cities—and walks through what residents and visitors should know about the Atlanta City Council election process.

How the Atlanta City Council Is Structured

The Atlanta City Council is the legislative body of the City of Atlanta. It passes laws, approves the city budget, and works with the mayor and city departments on issues like public safety, transportation, zoning, housing, and public works.

Types of Council Seats

Atlanta’s council has two main types of members:

• District Councilmembers

  • Represent a specific geographic area (district) within the city
  • Residents vote for the councilmember in their district only

• At-Large Councilmembers

  • Represent the entire city
  • All Atlanta voters may vote in these races

In addition, the Council President is elected citywide and presides over council meetings.

When Atlanta City Council Elections Happen

Atlanta City Council elections follow a regular cycle, but there can be special elections when seats become vacant.

Regular Election Cycle

• Frequency: Every four years
• Timing: Typically held in odd-numbered years (for example, 2025, 2029)
• Type: Officially nonpartisan—party labels do not appear on the ballot for city races

All council seats (district, at-large, and council president) are usually on the ballot in the same city general election.

Runoff Elections

If no candidate receives a required majority (often more than 50% of the vote) in a race:

• A runoff election may be scheduled between the top two candidates
• Runoffs are typically held a few weeks after the general election

Special Elections

If a council seat becomes vacant (for example, due to resignation), the City of Atlanta or Fulton/DeKalb County elections offices may call a special election to fill the remainder of the term.

Who Is Eligible to Vote in Atlanta City Council Elections

To vote in an Atlanta City Council election, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a legal resident of the City of Atlanta
• Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day
• Be registered to vote in Georgia at your Atlanta address
• Not be disqualified from voting under Georgia state law

Atlanta sits in both Fulton County and DeKalb County, so your county depends on where your address is located within the city.

How to Register to Vote in Atlanta

You must be registered at your current Atlanta address to vote in city council races. Registration is handled at the state and county level, but your registration determines your eligibility in City of Atlanta elections.

Basic Steps to Register

You can register if you:

• Have a Georgia driver’s license or state ID (online registration), or
• Use a paper application and return it to your county elections office

Common ways people register:

• Online through the Georgia voter registration system (if eligible)
• By mailing or delivering a paper registration form to your county elections office
• At state agencies that offer voter registration services (for example, when getting a Georgia driver’s license)

County Elections Offices Serving Atlanta

Most Atlanta residents are in Fulton County, with some in DeKalb County. Your county determines where your registration is processed.

Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections

• Main Elections Office:
  130 Peachtree Street SW, Suite 2186
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 612-7020

DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections (for parts of Atlanta in DeKalb County)

• Main Office:
  4380 Memorial Drive
  Decatur, GA 30032
  Phone: (404) 298-4020

Finding Your Atlanta City Council District and Sample Ballot

Where you live in the city determines which council district you vote in and which district candidate appears on your ballot.

How to Check Your District

You can typically find your council district by:

• Using a “Find My Councilmember”–type tool on the City of Atlanta’s website
• Entering your address into official mapping tools provided by the city or county

These tools usually show:

• Your City Council district
• Your councilmember’s name
• Possibly contact information for that council office

How to View Your Sample Ballot

Before an election, Fulton and DeKalb County elections offices usually post sample ballots that show exactly what will be on your ballot, including:

• City council races (district and at-large)
• Council president
• Mayor (in mayoral election cycles)
• Any city referendums or other questions

Seeing a sample ballot ahead of time helps you research candidates and issues before you step into the voting booth.

Ways to Vote in Atlanta City Council Elections

Atlanta voters generally have three main options for casting a ballot in city council elections:

1. Election Day Voting (In Person)

• You vote at your assigned Election Day polling place based on your address.
• Polling locations are usually open for a set period (often from morning into the evening).
• You must show an acceptable photo ID under Georgia law (such as a Georgia driver’s license or state-issued ID).

2. Early Voting (Advance In-Person Voting)

Early voting is widely used in Atlanta, especially in major city election years.

• Held at designated early voting locations in Fulton and DeKalb counties
• Available for a set number of days leading up to Election Day
• Often includes some evening and weekend hours, depending on the schedule adopted by each county

Early voting lets you choose a time that works with your schedule and can help you avoid Election Day lines.

3. Absentee Voting (Mail-In Ballot)

If you prefer to vote by mail or cannot get to a polling place:

• You may request an absentee ballot from your county elections office
• The ballot is mailed to you, and you complete and return it following all instructions
• Be sure to account for mailing and processing time so your ballot arrives by the deadline

What the Atlanta City Council Actually Does

Understanding what the council controls can help you decide how to evaluate candidates.

Key Responsibilities

The Atlanta City Council typically:

• Passes city ordinances (local laws)
• Approves the city budget, including funding for departments like police, fire, public works, and parks
• Reviews and approves zoning and land-use changes, which affect development and neighborhood character
• Sets policies on transportation, infrastructure, and public transit coordination
• Works on issues like housing, code enforcement, nightlife regulation, and business licensing
• Holds public hearings where residents can share opinions on proposed changes

How to Research Atlanta City Council Candidates

While the city does not endorse candidates, there are common ways Atlanta voters learn about who is running:

• Official candidate lists: Published by Fulton and DeKalb County elections offices for each election
• Candidate forums and debates: Often hosted by neighborhood associations, civic groups, or local organizations
• Local media coverage: Atlanta-based newspapers, radio, and TV stations frequently profile candidates and issues
• Campaign materials: Websites, mailers, and public appearances from the candidates themselves

When comparing candidates for council, Atlanta voters often look at:

• Positions on public safety and policing
• Approaches to traffic, sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit connections
• Views on housing affordability, zoning, and development
• Priorities for parks, recreation, and neighborhood services
• Experience working with communities or in public service

How to Contact the Atlanta City Council or Get Involved

Even outside of election time, you can interact with the council and stay involved in the process.

Contacting Your Councilmember

Each council district and at-large councilmember typically has:

• A city email address
• A city phone number or office line
• Staff who help handle constituent concerns

You can usually find contact information on the City of Atlanta’s official website under the City Council section, organized by district and at-large seats.

Attending or Watching Council Meetings

Atlanta City Council meetings and committee meetings are generally:

• Held at Atlanta City Hall
  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
• Open to the public, with seating for in-person attendees
• Often streamed or recorded so residents can watch remotely

Many meetings include a public comment period where residents can speak on agenda items or broader issues.

Neighborhood and Community Involvement

In many parts of Atlanta, residents also get engaged through:

• Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) – citizen advisory councils recognized by the City of Atlanta
• Neighborhood associations and community groups
• Public hearings on zoning and land-use changes

These groups often discuss city council actions, host candidate forums, and help residents understand how pending decisions might affect their area.

Quick Reference: Key Atlanta City Council Election Basics

For anyone living in or moving to Atlanta, understanding how city council elections work, when they happen, and how to participate is one of the most direct ways to influence local decisions that affect daily life—from traffic and public safety to parks and neighborhood development.