COUNCILWOMAN MARY NORWOOD’S FULL RESPONSE:

On many occasions, I have discussed my concerns about the 2009 election. I chose not to publicly broadcast my findings and concerns out of a respect for our City and its national and international reputation. As recently as last night, I discussed the 2009 election at a meeting of the NAACP.

After my close loss in 2009, I, of course, investigated the election returns and processes and received many unsolicited comments regarding irregularities that occurred during that intensely contested election. I asked for, and received, a recount and shortly thereafter the Board of Elections certified the election results. At that point, the City of Atlanta had a new Mayor. In our country, elections stand. If I had contested the election or publicly shared all that I knew and all that I surmised, it would have further divided the City and I have never felt that that would be the right thing to do.

In 2012, when a position was vacated on the Fulton County Board of Elections, I filled that seat and learned even more about the 2009 election. I served on that Board from January – August 2013 and during that time was one of the five board members who hired a new Executive Director. The decision to hire Rick Barron was a unanimous decision by the board. Dr. Gerald Durley was one of the Board members at that time. I have confidence in Executive Director Rick Barron to run an impartial and fair election and look forward to being a candidate on the ballot in the City of Atlanta.