City Council COVID-19 Update

Jennifer Ide Shares COVID-19 Update for District 6

Our Atlanta City Council representative, Jennifer Ide, shared a COVID-19 update with her constituents on April 21. It includes several important updates, including information on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's changes to his Shelter in Place Order and easing restrictions on a number of businesses beginning April 24.

The mayor and stakeholders across Atlanta are working diligently on a timeline to reopen city government facilities and operations and provide guidance to city businesses in accordance with health guidelines. The proposal is due by May 15.

The panel will be co-chaired by city Chief Operating Officer Joshua Williams, private attorney Robbie Ashe, and immediate past National Council of Negro Women National Chairperson Ingrid Saunders Jones.

Until the panel makes its recommendations to city officials, Jennifer and the mayor ask Atlantans and District 6 residents to maintain a stay-at-home policy beyond April 24 and remain at home as outlined in the governor’s original Shelter in Place order.

Jennifer also reminds us that Georgia's Presidential Primary Election and the vote on the MOST referendum have now been moved to June 9 due to the COVID-19 response.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced that all Georgia voters will be mailed an absentee ballot request form to encourage voting by mail during the outbreak. These went out the week of April 20.

Voters will need to complete the request form before receiving an actual ballot. The voter registration deadline for the June 9 election will be May 11. Early voting will begin on May 18. The primary runoff will move to August 11.

To check your precinct location, review a sample ballot, request an absentee ballot, or check the status of an absentee ballot, visit the My Voter Page. You also can see additional voter information for our neighborhood on LMMNA’s Government and Elections page.

Elections Moved to June 9

Georgians to Receive Absentee Ballot Request Forms

Georgia officials have postponed the March 24 Presidential Primary and Special Election and closed all early voting locations due to health and safety reasons. It has now been moved to June 9 due to the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced that all Georgia voters will be mailed an absentee ballot request form to encourage voting by mail during the outbreak. These went out the week of April 20. You also can download a request form and mail it into election officials yourself.

Please note: Postage is requested when you return ballots and request forms by mail, but it is not required. The U.S. Postal Service historically delivers all absentee ballots and request forms, regardless of attached postage.

Voters will need to complete the absentee ballot request form before receiving an actual ballot. The voter registration deadline for the June 9 election will be May 11.

Early voting will begin on May 18. Locations have not been announced. Also, Fulton County is setting up drop boxes where you can drop your ballot without having to come in contact with others. The locations of these drop boxes have not yet been announced, either.

All ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted.

Be sure to check your voter status on the Georgia My Voter Page. You also can learn much more on the LMMNA Government and Elections page.

New Changes for MARTA Routes

COVID-19 Causes MARTA to Set Up Reduced Services Plan

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) contacted the association on April 16 and announced its updated Essential Service plan. It went into effect on April 20.

Due to health and safety concerns (and a drop in ridership), the new plan reduces the number of bus routes and allows for a doubling of service on the busiest, most critical routes. This plan keeps MARTA running for health care personnel and other essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

The biggest effect for our neighborhood is likely the changes to the No. 6 bus route to the Emory and CDC campuses, according to LMMNA Licensing and Transportation Chair Jane Rawlings. It’s now reduced to a 30 minute schedule.

A list and map of the routes are available at the links below. Officials also posted a video detailing the plan. The Essential Service plan route list, map, and schedule can be found at www.itsmarta.com.

For real-time service alerts, follow @MARTASERVICE on Twitter or download MARTA’s On The Go app.

WATCH: MARTA Essential Services Video

READ: MARTA Essential Services Map

READ: MARTA Essential Services Schedule

LMMNA Neighbor COVID-19 Update

Our latest edition of LMMNA Neighbor is up! You can read it online now or check your inboxes if you subscribe.

Learn about what we know so far about our ‘Stay at Home’ orders from the City of Atlanta. Also, now’s a great time to join our Community Garden or participate in the ‘Chalk Your Walk’ movement to cheer up a neighbor. And, need special assistance? Send a note to CommunityHelp@lmmna.org.

For more information or to suggest future news item, contact Communications Chair Sean Selman at swselman@gmail.com.

READ: LMMNA Neighbor | Special COVID-19 Update

MARTA Reduces Schedule

MARTA Announces Schedule Changes Beginning March 30

LMMNA Traffic and Transportation Chair Jane Rawlings has been in touch with officials at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and has the following info to share with the neighborhood.

MARTA began making operational adjustments on Thursday, March 26, to protect the health and wellness of employees as they continue providing essential transit service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, MARTA is making service plan changes to bus and rail operations beginning Monday, March 30. These will continue for the immediate future until ridership levels increase again. Here are the details:

Bus Service

Bus service will reduce by approximately 30 percent. All bus routes will continue to operate, but with fewer buses on each route. The exception is on routes with the heaviest ridership; 15, 39, 5, 121, 196, 73, 110, 78, 83, and 89, which will have buses added to help with social distancing.

Rail Service

Rail service will operate on a weekend schedule beginning Monday, March 30, except for start time which will remain the regular weekday start time to complement bus service. Also, all Red and Gold Line trains will go to the airport, and Green Line trains will turn back at King Memorial. Due to extremely low ridership, MARTA is closing Mercedes-Benz/State Farm Arena/GWCC rail station.

For More Information

Updated bus and rail service information will be available on www.itsmarta.com, MARTA’s On The Go app, @MARTASERVICE on Twitter, @MARTAtransit on Facebook, digital boards throughout the system, and communicated through announcements on buses, trains, and at rail stations. Call MARTA's Customer Care Center at 404-848-5000 for more information.

READ: MARTA Service Changes and New Schedules

WATCH: MARTA Service Changes Info Video