Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Friday issued orders to expand the hours city employees can take off to vote in the November general and January runoff elections.

She also directed her chief of staff to discuss any operational changes with the Atlanta Postmaster that might impact the ability to vote by mail.

Surveys have shown that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporters of Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden are more likely to vote by mail.

President Donald Trump, who trails Biden in the polls, has alleged that mail-in voting is susceptible to fraud, a claim that U.S. intelligence officials say lacks evidence.

“Regardless of party affiliation, all Atlanta residents deserve to not only cast their vote, but do so in a safe, open and accessible manner,” said Bottoms in a statement.

Bottoms was an early Biden supporter and considered for a spot on the ticket as his vice presidential running mate.

One of Bottoms orders also directs the city to update the Atlanta 311 mobile application to provide the public with information to help voters exercise their right.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Workers at the Atlanta Community Food Bank distribution center are seen uploading food into multiple aisles on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The organization is utilizing $5 million from its reserves to purchase 6 million pounds of food for distribution over the next four weeks. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com