Axios Atlanta

May 19, 2026
It's Election Day, Atlanta! Did you vote early or wait until today like us?
🌤️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, with a high of 89 and a low of 69.
Situational awareness: Mayor Andre Dickens yesterday released a scaled-back proposal to extend Atlanta's tax allocation districts and create anti-displacement programs to help combat inequity, the AJC reports.
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Today's newsletter is 857 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Today is primary election day in Georgia
Georgia voters head to the polls today in high-stakes primaries for statewide offices, legislative seats and unusually contentious judicial races.
Why it matters: Georgia's primaries are an early test of voter enthusiasm in one of the country's top battleground states and set the stage for a potential overhaul of state government.
Zoom out: In addition to picking Democratic and Republican nominees for governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and other statewide posts, voters will also choose who should represent them in the state House and Senate.
Zoom in: Three typically low-profile but important judicial races have become some of the campaign season's most heated contests.
- Two Democrat-backed attorneys — Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin — are campaigning on issues like restoring abortion rights to unseat Republican-appointed Georgia Supreme Court Justices Sarah Hawkins Warren and Charlie Bethel, respectively.
- A Georgia Court of Appeals race pits a former prosecutor who helped Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis investigate President Trump against an incumbent judge who helped disqualify Willis from the case.
By the numbers: As of Monday morning, more than 1 million people — roughly 14% of the state's registered voters — had cast ballots during the early voting period, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office.
- Turnout statewide is 28% higher than the same period four years ago, the AJC notes.
The intrigue: Democrats — or people requesting a Democratic ballot — have cast roughly 153,000 more ballots than Republicans so far, according to state data.
How it works: Check out your sample ballot and double-check your polling place at Georgia's My Voter Page.
- Polls open Tuesday at 7am and close at 7pm. Voters in line by closing time can still cast ballots.
- Don't forget your photo ID.
Report any difficulties to the Georgia secretary of state's elections division or 866-OUR-VOTE, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law voter protection hotline.
State of play: Watch live election results at the Georgia secretary of state's website and local news outlets.
- If you're interested in an individual county's results, visit the county's elections website.
What's next: Crowded statewide and legislative contests mean several races are likely headed to June 16 runoffs.
2. Atlanta Housing increases voucher support
A partnership between Atlanta Housing and a real estate investment firm will allow the agency to more than double the assistance it provides to eligible families seeking to become homeowners.
Why it matters: The tight housing market, combined with the dwindling supply of affordable units, is making homeownership less attainable for low-income families.
Driving the news: Atlanta Housing president and CEO Terri Lee said the agency will increase its Housing Choice Voucher Program from $25,000 to $60,000 for eligible participants.
- "We know when families in this city have stable, affordable housing, this city works better," Lee said at last week's State of Atlanta Housing address.
How it works: Atlanta Housing's initiative is part of its partnership with Pretium, which describes itself as the "leading owner and operator of single-family residential homes" in the U.S.
- The homes will cost no more than $375,000, and clients can receive up to $10,000 in seller subsidies.
- Pretium will also offer property renovations valued at no more than $15,000 and provide maintenance, support and repair one year after the purchase.
By the numbers: Last year, the agency created or preserved 1,833 affordable housing units and has now reached 88% of its five-year goal to create or preserve 10,000 affordable units, Lee said.
What's next: Lee said Atlanta Housing will work with its partners to close four additional projects within the next 90 days, which is expected to add more than 400 new units in the city.
3. Ranking du jour: Megaevent powerhouse
1
Atlanta's ranking on Sports Business Journal's list of top cities for sports business and wooing major events.
- The city's "[w]orld-class venues, entrepreneurial team owners, a diverse lineup of events, a blue-chip roster of sponsors and forward-thinking public officials" give Atlanta an edge over others like New York and Indianapolis, the journal said.
4. Five-ish Points: Waiting on disaster assistance
🚫 Gov. Brian Kemp last week signed a tax cut bill into law. Here are the items he vetoed to pay for the tax cuts. (Capitol Beat)
🤖 Waymo said "fleet positioning" issues led to several of its cars circling a neighborhood last week in northwest Atlanta. (11 Alive)
⚖️ A watchdog group ruled state Supreme Court candidates Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin violated judicial conduct rules when they endorsed one another and campaigned on overturning Georgia's six-week abortion ban. (AJC)
Residents whose homes were destroyed by the wildfire in Brantley County have yet to receive state or federal disaster assistance. (The Current)
🙏🏽 Kristal hopes the line at her polling place isn't too long today.
🗳️ Thomas also needs to vote today.
This newsletter was edited by Crystal Hill.
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