1981 Atlanta mayoral election

The 1981 Atlanta Mayoral Election took place on October 6, 1981, with the runoff held on October 27. Mayor Maynard Jackson was ineligible to run due to term limits. The runoff featured two prominent Atlanta politicians: former Congressman and UN Ambassador Andrew Young as well as State Representative Sidney Marcus. Young won in the October 27th runoff by double digits. It became the first time an African American mayor of a major city (Jackson) handed over the keys to another African American.

1981 Atlanta mayoral election

October 6, 1981 (general) October 27, 1981 (runoff)
Turnout	61.26% (general) 64.04% (runoff)
Candidate Andrew Young Sidney Marcus A. Reginald Eaves Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan First-round vote 44,808 42,593 17,457 First-round percentage 40.92% 38.89% 15.94% Second-round vote 65,798 53,549 Second-round percentage 55.13% 44.87%
Mayor before election Maynard Jackson Democratic Elected mayor Andrew Young Democratic

Election results

Candidate	General Election		Runoff
	Votes	%	Votes	%
Andrew Young	44,808	40.9	65,798	55.1
Sidney Marcus	42,593	38.8	53,549	44.9
A. Reginald Eaves	17,457	15.9
Warren Shulman	3,602	3.2
John E. Thompson	618	0.5
Mildred Glover	275	0.2
Andree Kahlmorgan	151	0.1
Total votes	109,504	100	119,347	100
Blank/Overvotes	7,607	–	3,080	–
Total ballots	117,111	100	122,427	100
Registered voters/turnout	191,166	61.26	191,166	64.04
Source: Fulton County Board of Elections