Black voters have historically supported the creation of charter schools in Georgia, but they were a major force in the election day defeat of the referendum that could have turned low-scoring schools in their neighborhoods into the independently run schools.
Majority black metro Atlanta precincts voted overwhelmingly in 2012 to let the state, and not just school districts, create charter schools. But nearly 70 percent of them voted against this year’s constitutional amendment that would have created a statewide school district to take over “chronically failing” schools. That compares with 55 percent of “no” votes in majority white precincts.
You can check out the flip-flop at metro Atlanta precincts in this interactive map and read about what may have changed minds at our subscriber site, myAJC.com.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.