Lauren for Atlanta

On December 5, I will be voting for Mary Norwood for Mayor of Atlanta, and I encourage friends, colleagues, and supporters of my campaign to do the same. One of the key reasons I ran for City Council was that I wanted to see a different approach to governing than we have had for some time. We need a focus on community, true civic engagement, and complete transparency at City Hall. I believe this is Mary's strength.

Mary is the stronger candidate on transportation and development issues: she has prioritized the rewriting of our Zoning Code, which can help make our city a more connected, urban environment, and more importantly can begin to address our challenges with affordable housing. Mary also recognizes the critical importance of connecting land use decisions to transportation decisions, and she has committed to improving our transportation infrastructure aggressively and equitably.

Most of all, I believe Mary understands that our neighborhoods matter more than new "world-class" projects. World class cities focus on people and places; Atlanta needs to do much better on this. World class cities have functioning sidewalks, public transit that works for all users, housing stock for a variety of socioeconomic and age levels, a unique cultural and artistic story that we value and nurture, strong local and independent businesses, true civic engagement, and an excellent public school system where all our children have access.

Mary Norwood can redefine what world class should mean to our city, and we can support and inform her efforts to do so.

Although tonight’s results weren’t what we hoped, this experience has meant more than I ever expected. The support we’ve received from people and communities in every neighborhood of District 2 has been incredibly humbling. You are the ones who’ve built these communities and this city, and you’re the ones who’ll keep doing it every day, through your care and commitment and belief in what we can be at our best. I’m proud to call you my neighbors, and to call this place my home. Thanks to all our supporters for believing in the difference we can make together, and especially to my husband Jared for your love, your patience, and your overwhelming support throughout this whole experience. For all of us, it is still . ❤️

Just as the polls closed I met one more new friend who voted for me. Carolyn is a 26 year resident of the Old Fourth Ward and supported me because she wants a representative focused on neighborhoods.

Hanging out with this fab volunteer downtown! Kip Dunlap Lauren Norton Welsh

Met these wonderful walkers after they had just voted for me over at Henry W. Grady High School. Thank you!! Lauren Norton Welsh

***DO YOU NEED TO VOTE TODAY AND IF SO WHERE?!***

1: Go to this link: https://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do

2: Enter first initial last name county DOB (photo 1).

3: Your screen is four boxes. Top left = ballot info. Top right = polling location info.

4: CHECK IF YOU NEED TO VOTE. Go to the top left box (photo 2). Click “Click Here for Sample Ballots.”

4a: If you do NOT need to vote, you will get the pop up I got with no ballot info available (photo 3).

4b: If you DO need to vote, you will get a different pop up with either a sample ballot or a link to “see non partisan ballot.” Review your candidates!

5: CHECK WHERE YOU VOTE. Go to top right box (photo 4). Look at your polling place. It doesn’t matter what your voter card says - go to the polling place listed here.

6: VOTE. Then take selfies with your peach sticker. 😇

BUMP THIS POST AND TAG EVERYONE WHO ASKS ABOUT VOTING.

Georgia My Voter Page

Starting the hustle early this morning waving at people coming into downtown and parents walking their kids to Hope-Hill ES.

Ending my day knocking on doors here in the Old Fourth Ward looking at the David T. Howard School reminds me exactly why I’m running for City Council. Neighborhood leaders advocated to reopen this APS school when the easy answer was that renovations were too difficult. Soon this vacant building will be active, with kids, including my own, who will go to Martin Luther King Jr.’s former school. That kind of work is what’s inspired me to do this over the years - to roll up my sleeves and be part of nurturing and building our city while honoring its history. I hope you’ll support me with your vote on Tuesday so I can make City Hall work for you.

Could you ask for any cuter volunteers? These guys are the best! Logan, Brian, and fam are at the corner of Krog and Edgewood welcoming people to Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-Off and Bluegrass Festival. Wave when you head on by!!

Happy to be out at one of Atlanta’s best neighborhood festivals. Nicely done Cabbagetown, Atlanta! Bike valet is getting some good use!! Atlanta Bicycle Coalition

Enjoying the festivities at the 2017 Black and White Ball. Thanks to Senator Nan Grogan Orrock for inviting me!

This doesn't fix the larger problem but it does allow APS to function for some time. I'm thankful for that small victory.

Fulton, Atlanta schools cheer tax decision but warn targeted furloughs still possible Atlanta schools will implement targeted furloughs because of tax collection delays but will focus on days off for non-teaching staffers