ATLANTA — A special election was approved by the Atlanta City Council at a meeting on Monday evening following a recent vacancy on the lawmaking body.
Earlier this month, Keisha Sean Waites confirmed to 11Alive that she'd be leaving her council seat on March 8 to run for the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts. The current clerk serving in that position is Ché Alexander, who was sworn in last June after Cathelene "Tina" Robinson retired following 50 years of service to Fulton County.
City Council said that those interested in the position must file their candidacy beginning on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. until Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
The special election takes place on November 5.
More on Waites' career
As the current Post 3 At-Large council member in Atlanta, Keisha Waites has advocated for various policies since her election in 2021. These include initiatives such as mandating comprehensive security plans for apartment complexes, proposing a teen curfew, and sponsoring ordinances exploring Atlanta's racial history in education.
"Together, we've achieved remarkable milestones, and I'm immensely proud of our accomplishments. As I embark on this new chapter, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future," she said while announcing her departure in a March Atlanta City Council meeting. "Together, let us continue to work tirelessly to build a brighter and more prosperous future for all."
Waites served three terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 60, encompassing southeast Atlanta, Hapeville, Forest Park, East Point, and College Park.
During her legislative service, she focused on public safety, transportation, and juvenile justice, notably authoring House Bill 54, also known as the "Fallen Hero" Bill, providing tuition assistance to children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Waites brings 15 years of emergency management and senior leadership experience from the Small Business Administration and FEMA, managing disaster responses for 27 federally declared disasters, including Hurricane Maria, Harvey, and Katrina.
A graduate of Georgia Southern University, she has also completed legislative training programs at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University.