Gay Voters Key to Atlanta Mayoral Runoff

In the runoff election for Atlanta mayor on December 1, candidates Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed may look toward the LGBT vote to tip the balance in their favor.

Norwood, who could become the city's first white mayor in 36 years, led voting on Tuesday with 46%, while state senator Reed received 36%. Each enjoys support from segments of the gay community, which is expected to turn out for other runoff elections of interest, like a city council seat in the sixth district, where a high concentration of LGBT people live, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"The lack of clear wins may not sound impressive," reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But the very fact that gay voters have unfinished business could magnify their clout next month. In a post-Thanksgiving runoff likely to attract only a trickle of ballots, a highly organized, motivated bloc of voters could easily tip the balance in the mayor's race."

Norwood took 59% of the vote in the sixth district on Tuesday, but Reed claims support from groups like the Stonewall Democrats, despite the fact that he endorses civil unions and not full marriage equality.