Is Kasim Reed Atlanta’s New Mayor? ~ Not According to Norwood

Kasim Reed is on the verge of being the 59th mayor of the City of Atlanta. In all actuality, Reed won the most votes in the run-off election against candidate Mary Norwood in an agonizing close race but Norwood hasn’t conceded. As Atlanta anxiously awaits an official announcement, the margin ranges a mere 1 point in the victory.

Since run-off’s don’t typically draw returning voters, the candidates were each critical in their own success by getting supporters out to the polls. The final results of the day being Reed 50% to Norwwood’s 49%.  Fulton County’s election site says it has 100 percent of precincts reporting:  Kasim Reed has approx. 50.46 percent and Norwood has approx.  49.54 percent.

Norwood stated via a television interview that she was refusing to concede due to the close margin in the race and may even demand a recount since there is less than 1000 votes separating the two opponents. “We have not gotten enough good information from the county itself.” She packed up her camp around 11:30 and drove off in her ’98 Buick.

Apparently, there are still absentee, advanced and early voting ballots that still have to be confirmed and with the small margin Norwood actually still has a shot for the win. Those votes will be tallied throughout the night all we can do right now is wait.

Updates via AJC:

12:12 a.m. Kasim Reed has declared victory.  Mary Norwood has not conceded. If the votes are within 1 percent, a recount can be requested.

12:03 a.m.: Fulton County election officials say all early votes have been counted. Only provisional ballots remain to be counted, and that will happen on Thursday.

12:02 p.m. Kasim Reed says he’s been awake since 5 a.m. thanks his family members and Lisa Borders. “Guess who’s going to be the 59th mayor?” he asked.

11:39 p.m.: Barry Garner, director of registration and elections for Fulton County, said if the difference in the final vote is less than 1 percent, a recount will be granted if asked for. “As soon as the letter requesting a recount is received, I’d try to put things in motion the very next day,” he said. Provisional ballots will be counted Thursday, and the election will be certified at noon on Saturday.

11:36 p.m.: Fulton County says it is done counting for tonight. There is a 758 vote difference between Reed and Norwood in the Atlanta mayor race. Provisional ballots will be counted Thursday.

Longtime City of Atlanta councilmember Ceasar Mitchell won the post of councilmember president, which was vacated by former President Lisa Border’s decision to run for Mayor.

Click HERE for official results throughout the city via Fulton County’s website.

Photos via AJC