The day many Georgians have joyfully, anxiously or cautiously awaited has arrived: Election Day.

Our Canopy Atlanta team will be on the ground throughout the day speaking with voters and observing the scene at many of the low-voter turnout precincts we’ve reported about the last several months.

Stay tuned to our live reporting throughout metro Atlanta to hear from voters and get a sense of the energy on Election Day in Atlanta.

9:15 a.m.

Melanie Woodall, 42, got up bright and early to cast her vote at Allen Temple AME Church. She brought her three sons along to witness the civic process. For the Grove Park resident, the day is monumental for a number of reasons.

“I want to see a woman elected into office. I want to see what she can do. I want to see her bring change.” 

Her sons insisted that they join her today.

“My kids wanted to follow me today to the polls. My oldest will be able to vote in 3 years. He is 15.”

As Melanie and her kids took care of their civic duty, DJ Ro played hits from some of Atlanta’s favorites. As folks voted at Allen Temple AME, the turntables played “Yeah!” by Usher, Ludacris and Lil Jon.

9:30 a.m.

About two miles down the road, four voters are walking into the polling site from various backgrounds at Lindsay Baptist Church. The awaiting voters included both Black and white residents casting their ballots at precinct 03L. Two voters were waiting nearby at the MARTA bus stop, a mother and daughter. The mother sported her “I voted” sticker. About 30 people had voted before 10 a.m. 

10:15 a.m.

Netline Lindsey was looking for a “big win” on Election Day. The Hunter Hills resident also cast her ballot at Allen Temple this morning.

Netline, 69, told us she had no delays at the polling precinct, and the poll workers were pleasant as she and others filed in to vote. 

“It’s time for a change,” she says. “We tried everything with the men, we might as well do it with the women. Let them get a chance too. I am passionate about women’s rights and the economy. I just don’t want a fool in office.”

11:15 a.m.

Cindy Screen, 31, said she voted today to ensure her voice was heard.  There wasn’t a particular ballot measure that concerned her, but she told us as she left Antioch Baptist Recreation Center that she’s looking for her community and the world around her to go in a different direction.

“I just would like to see it go in a different direction. More positive, more of a moral direction,” says Screen, who lives in Midtown. “I hope whatever direction this goes, everybody still has peace. Nothing other than that.”

12:15 p.m.

Dr. Jammie Hopkins, 42, of West Midtown, also voted at Antioch Church earlier today. He had hoped to make it to early vote, but the hours conflicted with his work schedule.

After voting late morning Tuesday, he admits he was “a little nervous” about how smoothly the voting experience would be today. The right to vote is a privilege and honor, Jammie says.

“It is an inalienable right,” he says. “People died and bled for this right. It is my duty as a U.S. citizen to vote. It is something that I take very seriously. That’s why I am here. I am here because I am a champion of equity. There are candidates on the ballot that stand for equity. There are candidates on the ballot that challenge equity.”

He hopes he will have clarity and a reason to celebrate after the results are in tonight. 

“[The thing] I am looking for is a definitive outcome,” he told us. “Having that clarity for who is going to be in charge going forward–that will be really helpful. Above and beyond that. I am looking forward to jubilation. That is what I am hoping for. I will be out celebrating tomorrow as well.”

2 p.m.

At Flipper Temple AME Church Tuesday afternoon, voters trickled in during a lively scene outside. Hip hop and reggae music boomed from tents around the church, while college students cast their ballots and then lined up for food served from some of the tents. 

An orange van proclaimed “POWER” in its side, showcasing raised fists in a variety of colors.

2:15 p.m.

College student Mekhi Evans-El said she came to vote not just for the presidency, but for the future of Georgia. 

“I feel this is important, especially going to an HBCU,” she said. “[This is] the future of what this city will like when we graduate, because we graduate in only two years.”

2:45 p.m.

The voting site inside College Park Auditorium was quiet compared to some of the Westside polling places that showcased DJ’s spinning tunes and major news outlets like NBC interviewing voters. A steady stream of people walked in and out, but there was no line. By this afternoon, more than 230 people had voted there, according to poll workers.

Despite the quiet, the voters were excited, with a shared camaraderie. They greeted each other and proudly displayed the Georgia Voter stickers. The general consensus was they had to make their voices count. 

A city worker in uniform said he didn’t have time to talk; he was on his lunch break, but was determined to get her vote in. 

One lady stood for a minute with a look of satisfaction on her face after voting.

4:30 p.m.

Though the traffic had slowed a bit, the music was still playing and folks were still showing up to vote at Oakley Elementary School this afternoon. DJ Last Name Good spent morning and afternoon at the polling site, as a part of the city’s “DJ at the Polls” activation. Several voting sites featured local deejays to keep spirits high on the high-stress day.

Good says he could tell there was a different afternoon as voters tried to cast their ballots in the last hours of Election Day.

“People were lined up, coming in, lined up waiting to start voting. I did get the sense of the sense of urgency this morning, not so much in the afternoon… I can definitely see the difference between morning and afternoon.”

Polls will close at 7 p.m. in Georgia, but if you’re still in line at 7 p.m, you’re allowed to vote, according to voting officials. Return back to our live blog to hear more from voters.