In Atlanta, the big issue is black and white as mayoral runoff hinges on racial turnout

Black-white turnout key in Atlanta mayoral runoff

ATLANTA — Just a few weeks ago, Atlanta looked ready to elect its first white mayor in a generation. Instead, the Nov. 3 election set up a hard-fought runoff battle that’s expected to break down largely along racial lines when voters return to the polls Tuesday.

White councilwoman Mary Norwood and former state Sen. Kasim Reed, who is black, are vying for racial crossover votes. Experts say victory likely hinges on black-versus-white turnout.

Early voting suggests strong turnout in Norwood’s stronghold on the city’s mostly white north side. Voters there were outpacing the heavily black southside by a third.

Political observers have the candidates tied.