Over 220 residents, who live in in areas with chronically low voter turnout in areas of Southwest Atlanta, downtown Atlanta, College Park, and Union City, told Canopy Atlanta’s Community Engagement team what challenges they face in the election process and what information would best serve voters in these communities. The resulting feedback came from community conversations and online surveys. Learn more about Voting Barriers and Bridges Election project here.
How we did it
In interviews across areas with low voter turnout, like Welcome All Park, Greenbriar Mall and Midtown’s Trader Joe’s, Canopy Atlanta spoke with more than 220 members of the community. Voters and nonvoters alike had a lot to say about the political climate of 2024 and the impact the unpredictable events have had on them. Even in areas with a low percentage of voters, we found a majority who said they did regularly cast their ballots, even if they felt like it didn’t make a big difference. For some other nonvoters, particularly those labeled as convicted felons, they told us they would choose to opt out of the political process altogether – even if their right to vote was restored. Another group admitted that they only voted because family or friends pressured them to, and once that pressure was gone, so was the inclination to vote.
Nearly everyone expressed a desire to see change, for politicians to care about the promises they’d made as much as when they wanted to get votes. A handful of folks who endured the Civil Rights Movement shared their thoughts with us, like an 83-year-old South Fulton resident I spoke to at Welcome All Community Center. She, like many others, expressed her frustration with the lack of information about candidates and their platforms, and the “lazy” robo calls that told residents who to not vote for, instead of making the case for why someone should vote for them.
“They could hold community meetings and tell people who they are, but they don’t do it. It’s just lazy.” -KH
Through phone calls and in-person interviews across seven zip codes, at 22 different locations, residents spoke out about the issues they care about and nearly a quarter responded that they believed their vote only somewhat or did not matter at all. Even those who were avid voters wanted to see more accountability after candidates become elected officials.
Over 70 percent of people we interviewed stated that they were definitely voting in November and 89 percent confessed that they had no barrier to voting. What they did feel when we first spoke with them was unhappiness with the choices. After President Joe Biden left the race, Vice President Kamala Harris’s entry did excite young and Democratic voters.
“I volunteered for Kamala! I signed up as soon as I found out she was running.”
That was young voter Lacey Burkes’ response after receiving the news about Vice President Kamala Harris entering the presidential race. When we originally spoke with her at Greenbriar Mall over the summer, she only planned to cast a ballot because “my Momma told me to vote.”
With Project 2025 slated to make changes to the Department of Education, rights for the LGBTQ and minority communities, and statewide abortion laws across the country, many voters we spoke with opposing that plan appear to be uniting behind the Harris-Walz ticket.
The surge in support is coming from some new, first-time voters, many of whom were not happy about their choices when it was between Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, Vice President Harris’ platform seemed to resonate with them, prompting them to also donate, both time and money.
With economic issues being one of the top concerns for those we interviewed, we heard from several residents hoping that the chosen candidate will rein in inflation and create more opportunity for the middle class. That hope has created a strong incentive for voters on both sides to show up at the polls. As Elections Fellows begin reporting in these communities, we will find out if that hope is enough and what happens on Election Day.
—Pristine Parr, Elections Listening Ambassador and Fellow
Where did we listen?
We listened in areas, determined from the Secretary of State’s Statement of Votes data, where voting participation was low in the 2020 general election. This includes voters and potential voters that live across 20 precincts in the ZIP codes listed below.
What we heard
Do residents plan to vote in the Nov. 5 election?
Do residents feel they have barriers to voting?
- 89% strongly agree they DON’T have barriers to voting.
- A smaller percentage of folks believe their votes matter. 53% strongly agree that their vote matters or makes a difference. 20% Somewhat agree. 21% somewhat or strongly disagree.
When was the last time they voted?
- 93 (56%) report voting in 2024
- 27 (16%) report they last voted in 2020
Why will residents choose NOT to vote in the Nov. 5th election?
Disillusionment with the political system
“I don’t believe in politics. What’s the point? Everything is fake and politicians don’t honor their word.”
Skepticism of impact
“My voice does not matter and change will not happen.”
Lack of information or interest
(Respondent) hasn’t seen much information on the independent candidates running
Negative views of candidates
“They [politicians] don’t serve the interests of the people.”
Distrust of government
“Elections are crooked. Voter Fraud is real. I don’t trust voter machines.”
Personal beliefs
“Neither candidate gives me a sense of security, confidence or trust.”
Listening locations
- Charles E. Phillips Esq Park
- Welcome All Park
- Tracy Wyatt Recreation Center
- Central Park (Tennis Courts/BasketBall Courts)
- Gladys S. Dennard Library
- Pittsburgh Yards (Black Voter event)
- Greenbriar Mall
- Selena S. Butler Park
- The Ke’nekt Cooperative
- Trader Joe’s (Midtown)
- Old National Kroger
- South Fulton Kroger Shopping Center
- Mozley Park
- Portrait Coffee Shop
- CC360
- Domontra’s Coin Laundry
- Big G Grocery Store
- Primetime Barbershop
- Atlanta University Center
- Skin Care by Paula
- She Salon
- Johnson Park
Who we heard from
Age
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
What’s next
Canopy Atlanta is working with Election Fellows and journalists to write the stories we heard about in our listening conversations. Those stories will be published in the lead up to Election Day as part of the Voting Bridges and Barriers Project coverage from September through Election Day.
Ways to participate
Metro Atlanta community members who have views to share on the upcoming election or questions about the voting process can reach out to us by emailing elections@canopyatlanta.org.
Explore more ways to get involved with Canopy Atlanta.
Editors: Stephanie Toone, Kamille Whittaker, Mariann Martin
