With so much political uncertainty happening around us, it may feel like there is nothing that teens can do to make a difference in their communities. Many aspects of local government affect Atlanta teens’ day-to-day lives, including the Atlanta Public Schools school board, the Atlanta City Council, the Georgia General Assembly, the mayor, and the governor. What’s mind-blowing is that many teens don’t notice, or realize that they can have a voice in local civics. When Amishi, 16, was asked if she’s heard of any outlets for teens to get into politics, she replied, “I don’t think I have actually.”
It’s true that most of us aren’t old enough to vote, and because of this, many teens feel that what happens in local government is beyond their control. In fact, when this story was pitched, one of the VOX ATL editors asked me, “Why should teens in metro ATL care even if they can’t vote?”
If teens are informed about issues in their community, they can help to make things better. Even if you’re under 18, you can persuade others because their choices affect you too.
But before you can change anything, you need to be up on both the issues and the people who are running in local elections. So, here’s everything you need to know before the November mayhem.
1. Education Station
The Atlanta Public School Board (a.k.a. the Atlanta Board of Education) establishes and approves the policies that govern the Atlanta Public Schools system. Their 2021-2026 goals are: literacy proficiency, numeracy proficiency, post-graduation preparedness, and college and career readiness. Look below for your district to learn more about the people running, but note that candidates have until this August to announce that they are campaigning.
District 2
Aretta Baldon (Incumbent): She has served District 2 for nearly five years. Baldon also works with Kipp Atlanta Collegiate’s Parent Teacher Organization and the Atlanta Community Food Bank to run a monthly food pantry, which provides needed nutrition to students, families, and seniors in the community.
She led the effort to rename the Herman J. Russell West End Academy. She also supported APS’s shift to a Student Outcomes Governance Model, which is where schools focus on community engagement and clear goals.
Tony Mitchell: Mitchell, who works as a Senior Director of State Government Affairs for a healthcare company called Gilead Sciences, mentored high school and college students while he was on the board of the Emerging 100 of Atlanta. He describes himself as a “husband, father, and problem-solver.”
Stephen Owens, Ph.D.: Dr. Stephen Owens has lived in the West End for 10 years, and has three children who are APS students. Dr. Owens was a teacher for five years and has a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a PhD in Education, Administration, and Policy from the University of Georgia. He was also a data and policy analyst at the Georgia Department of Education and the Director of Education at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI). Now he works for Brown’s Promise, a non-profit working to promote school integration and the equal distribution of school resources across the country.
District 4
Jennifer McDonald (Incumbent): Since joining APS a decade ago, she has invested significant time serving in leadership positions within each school in the district each year, including volunteering to serve in multiple roles for the PTSA at North Atlanta High School.
Seat 8 At-Large
Cynthia Briscoe Brown (Incumbent): Brown sat at Seat 8 for three terms. She’s described as an “extremely active board member at every level.” Here are some of her key accomplishments, according to her website:
- Brown has chaired the Board Development Committee, Policy Review Committee, and Equity Task Force.
- She also worked to help develop Dual Language Immersion classrooms, special-needs Pre-K, Social Emotional Learning initiatives, and International Career Exchange opportunities
- She played a role in creating APS’s Equity Policy.
District 6
Tolton Pace (Incumbent): In January, the Atlanta Board of Education (ABOE) unanimously voted to appoint Tolton Pace to fill the District 6 seat, which was left vacant by Eshé Collins.
For around 20 years, he’s worked in philanthropy and nonprofits focused on youth development in Atlanta’s Westside and South Atlanta communities.
Jonathan Leon: Dr. Jonathan Leon is an APS parent, former APS teacher, and trusted education policy expert. He’s “fighting for safe, supportive schools, excellent educators, and real opportunity from the first day of Pre-K to graduation and beyond.”
2. Town Halls
This is one way that teens can affect Atlanta’s government, instead of the other way around. Town hall meetings are free, public, and provide an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask your local politicians questions. If you’re interested, Congresswoman Nikema Williams and Atlanta City Councilwoman Andrea Boone will be hosting a meeting about what they call President Trump’s “billionaire budget bailout bill” on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at C.T. Martin Natatorium & Recreation Center.
3. Bills, Bills, Bills
Bills propose new laws and changes to laws. They are debated, amended, and voted on by Georgia’s House and Senate before being sent to the governor to determine if they will become law. Less than 20% of the bills introduced in 2024 were passed to be made law. These decisions directly affect you, so if you’d like to express your concern, support, and opinions about a bill, contact your Georgia General Assembly Senator or Representative. The first step is to learn who your legislators are and how to reach them, using resources like Find My Legislator. Additionally, you can see what bills your senator has proposed or voted on with this website. Local politicians don’t get nearly as many calls or emails as legislators at the federal level, so this is where your voice can have a louder impact.
4. Election Season
Yes, it’s almost time to see those election ads again! The governor’s race will take place in 2026, but the Atlanta mayoral and city council elections are this fall.
Mayoral Election (Non-Partisan):
- Mayor Andre Dickens (incumbent) states that he is focused on expanding opportunities, equity, and prosperity for all residents.
- Marcus LaMar says he wants to be economically responsible and create “smart city solutions to build an Atlanta that works for everyone.”
- Helmut (Love) Domagalski says he is “Pro Love” and wants to protect our people, economy, unity, integrity, and our tires (from potholes).
There were three other candidates that I couldn’t find more information about: Ocean Zotique, Larmetria Trammell, and Walter Reeves.
City Council President:
The city council president presides at all council meetings and votes in the case of a tie. The council president appoints chairs and members of various committees, subject to rejection by a majority of the council. The council president exercises all powers and discharges all duties of the mayor in the event of a vacancy in that office or during the mayor’s disability.
- Marci Collier Overstreet is District 11’s City Council member, and her key focuses are “securing commercial investment and spurring redevelopment,” “boosting community wellness,” “fighting crime & securing our neighborhoods,” and “improving city services for our residents.”
- Rohit Malhotra wants to “raise household incomes,” and “invest in homegrown small businesses,” follow through on commitments to expand and improve high-quality public transportation, make city spending transparent and accessible, empower Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Units (NPUs) and neighborhood leaders, “protect and strengthen democratic processes,” and “create a trust fund for Atlanta’s artists, musicians, and creatives,” and invest in proven violence prevention programs.
City Council:
The council is Atlanta’s legislative branch. They make laws, have oversight of multiple agencies, and work with Atlanta’s mayor and the executive branch to strengthen the financial well-being of Atlanta. Right now, all 15 seats are up for grabs: that’s 12 district seats and 3 at-large posts. Find more district-specific information here.
And since 2026 is coming up fast, here’s everyone who is currently running for governor:
- Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) is the former mayor of Atlanta and was a senior advisor to President Joe Biden. She says she plans to: fight to expand Medicaid, “prevent more hospitals – especially those in rural communities – from shutting their doors,” and “crack down on corporate landlords,” and “invest in education,” and “eliminate income taxes for teachers.” (That could help with the teacher shortage.)
- Olu Brown (D) is the founder of Impact United Methodist Church and owns a business called Culverhouse, LLC, where he works to create strategies for “large-scale program activations, operational efficiency, and forward-thinking leadership development” for his clients.
- Chris Carr (R) is Georgia’s Attorney General, and he wants to keep Georgia “working,” “safe,” “learning,” “moving,” “honest,” and keep Georgia’s “values.”
- Jason Esteves (D), District 35 State Senator and small business owner, says he wants “Georgia to be known as the number one place to work, start a business, and raise a family.”
5. Will My Voice Really Matter?
Yes! Despite not being able to vote, teens can advocate for themselves by using their voices, expressing their opinions, and through their actions. A conversation, an email, a text, or a phone call is all it takes to let someone see your perspective. If you want to get experience making direct changes in your community, consider running for student government. APS students are required to complete community service hours to graduate, and you could spend that time working with an organization that focuses on issues that matter to you, or even volunteering for a candidate you want to see succeed.
Additionally, if you want your voice heard today, you can participate in the poll below to share a change you would like to see in Atlanta and a possible solution. Here are some responses from other teens.
You can find the teen survey here, and there’s also an adult survey available.
Let your response be your first step.
The post VOX 5: Things Teens Should Know about Atlanta’s Government appeared first on VOX ATL.
