Who I’m Voting For in the November 2025 Special & Municipal Elections in Atlanta, Georgia

Here is the problem that I run into every 2 years. I’m sold on the idea that voting in every election matters. And I’m also sold on the idea that random local offices have a much bigger impact on my day to day life than US President or US Senate.

But figuring out who to actually vote in local races for is ridiculously hard. It’s illegal for non-profits to just tell you who to vote for. And the few surviving media outlets go with generic “here are the candidates!” listicles than actual opinion pieces. And the people truly in the know about who is better / worse (i.e., other politicians and staff) are afraid to put their career on the line for a candidate who might lose.

So we’re stuck with road signs, stereotypes, hearsay, and guesswork for super important jobs…in a low turnout election.

Here’s how I researched and currently plan to vote*

*Note that I’m a random voter with a website. I’m probably picking the wrong candidates! The world is super-complicated and if you are reading this and have an evidence-based opinion – please put that opinion on the public Internet, not behind a paywall or a login, where people can find it next election.

Research Resources

• Get a sample ballot for your specific precinct
• Atlanta Civic Circle has quick links to all the candidates’ websites

A bunch of the races on my ballot are listed as unopposed, but here are the actual races I plan to vote on.

Public Service Commission – District 2**

• Alicia M. Johnson VOTE! – excellent candidate who actually has a plan.

Public Service Commission – District 3**

• Peter Hubbard VOTE! – excellent candidate who actually has a plan.

**these two races are statewide and are extra important if you care about electricity prices and carbon emissions.

Mayor

• Andre Dickens VOTE! – I’ve lived in Atlanta for 13 years. He’s improved Atlanta at a faster pace than Reed & Bottoms. I like him and still trust him to balance all the tradeoffs of running a major city in a purple State and an antagonistic Federal government.

City Council President

• Marci Collier Overstreet VOTE (?) – My vote here is only based on Jason Winston’s endorsement (he’s a near-neighbor and my Councilmember). I like Rohit Malhotra and appreciate his work. Overstreet seems like she could actually do the job better (which mainly involves moving assignments & smoothing over processes). Both the candidates will probably be fine, especially given that Council President is not a very powerful position and has historically been a political dead-end.

City Council Member Post 1 At Large

• Juan Mendoza VOTE! – This guy seems like a go-getter with fresh ideas and energy. Matt Rinker seems fine too. But either one is better than Michael Bond who seems to spend more time organizing outside events than crafting legislation and being involved in government. And I know that schmoozing is a core job of politicians…but it all does seem excessive when he’s being fined by the Georgia Ethics Commission.

City Council Member Post 2 At Large

• Matt Westmoreland VOTE! – Unopposed, but he’s been fine IMO.

City Council Member Post 3 At Large

• Eshé Collins VOTE! – Unopposed, but she’s been fine IMO.

City Council Member District 1

• Jason H. Winston VOTE! – He’s my councilmember! Very active, helpful, and transparent. All the things I want a local councilmember to be.

Board of Education Member District 8 At Large

• Kaycee Brock VOTE! – She seems to be the most qualified.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Baker)

• NO – A search showed a bunch of ethics violations.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Bey)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Gaines)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Gundy)

• NO – A search showed a bunch of ethics violations.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Hand Seitz)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Jackson)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Mann)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Portis)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

City of Atlanta Municipal Court Judge (Ward)

• YES – A search did not show any issues.

Act 358, SB 330: Independent School District Ad Valorem for Educational Purposes

• YES…NO (?) – I have no idea. I’ll probably vote yes. But here’s the thing. In Atlanta, some of the most fabulously wealthy landowners are all over 65 who should help shoulder educational services. But…we also have so many seniors who are living fixed, low incomes in neighborhoods that they have fought for and maintained for decades…only to see their property tax bills skyrocket. That’s wrong. I’ll probably vote yes because it avoids more harm but I do wish the BOE would come up with something better.