Fewer Voters, But More Determined

By Dave Bender

Atlanta, GA –
Officials at Dekalb County's Briar Vista and Fulton County's Morningside Elementary schools say voters cast between 50 and 100 ballots an hour by noon.

Voters like 95-year-old Sarah Berlin at Briar Vista, who - with the aid of a friend helping her along - says it's the first time she's voted in person in years:

"I voted for Mary Norwood. I think Atlanta needs a change just like the United States needs a change; so I think that we need to go up and up instead of down and down."

At Morningside, Randy Malamud says his vote for outsider Jesse Spikes is a vote for fresh blood:

"I watched some of the debates and it seemed like a couple of the other candidates might be competent, but they seemed very much like they were a part of the political machine."

Also at Morningside, Rick Perriera deliberated, but he too believes that it's time for a change at the mayor's office:

"...my second choice was Kasim Reed; seems like a very smart, engaged guy with some good political experience, so I had a hard choice between him and Mary Norwood, but ultimately, I think it came down to a pretty clear break with the past few years."

All of those interviewed say they also voted for slates of candidates for city council and school boards.