U.S. Senate candidate Jon Ossoff is scheduled to visit Athens on Saturday, just three days before a crucial runoff election that could decide which party wins control of Congress.
The Get Out the Vote Volunteer Block Party is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall.
The event, organized by the Athens Progressive Canvassing Corps and the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee, will feature speakers, music, food, and volunteer training. Following the event, canvassers will go out to all parts of the county to contact over 5,000 of the 51,000 voters who have yet to vote and encourage them to cast a ballot.
“This will likely be the consequential election of our lifetimes,” said ACCDC Chair-Elect and County Commissioner Tim Denson. “Never has a Georgian’s single vote held so much potential in changing the course of our nation. Georgia has the opportunity to decide that all Americans are guaranteed healthcare, a living wage, and a strong social fabric that helps them when they need it.”
If one or both sitting senators from Georgia – Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue -- win their contests, the GOP will keep the Senate majority and a crucial lever of power in Washington.
But if their challengers, Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, win both races, then Democrats will reach a crucial 50-seat threshold in the Senate. Ties are broken in the Senate by the vice president, meaning Kamala Harris will be the deciding factor after she and President-elect Joe Biden begin their terms on Jan. 20.
Joining Ossoff at the Athens event will be Georgia Public Service Commission candidate Daniel Blackman, state Rep. Spencer Frye, Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz, Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, and ACC commissioners Tim Denson, Mariah Parker, and Russell Edwards.
There will be musical performances by Lingua Franqua, Kendrick Mack, and Squalle, and food is to be provided by Rashe's Cuisine.
For more information visit www.AthensCanvassing.org.