by Veselin Simonov

If you live in the neighborhoods of East Atlanta, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown, Edgewood, Gresham Park, Grant Park, Kirkwood, Ormewood Park or Boulevard Heights – listen up! You may be eligible to vote in the Georgia House of Representatives runoff election in District 58 that’s happening TODAY! The district covers residents from just south of Piedmont Park to around Turner Field to over by Fort McPherson. If you aren’t sure whether you live within the district lines or where your polling location is, you can check the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

District 58 was previously represented by Simone Bell (D-Atlanta), who resigned late last year to become Lambda Legal’s Southern regional director. As reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, former Representative Bell held the distinction of being the nation’s first African-American lawmaker, serving in a State House, who is out as a lesbian.

Park Cannon

The special election was held on January 19, 2016 between three candidates: Kwame Thompson, Park Cannon, and Ralph Long, III. The runoff held today is between Park Cannon and Ralph Long, III. Park Cannon won the special election with 47.43% of the vote and Ralph Long, III came in second with 33.65%. Only 835 people voted in the special election.

Ralph Long, III

So if you live in District 58 and have a few minutes to spare today, we encourage you to stop by your polling location and fulfill your civic duty! And, of course, if you would like to research the candidates or check your voter registration status, please feel free to use the technology and resources available in the law library.