Analysis: It's uncertain if push to 'Stop Cop City' got enough valid signers for Atlanta referendum

Kenyatta Richardson collects his first signature of the day during a five hour shift in southwest Atlanta on Thursday, August 3, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)(Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Opponents of an Atlanta police and fire training center exulted as they marched into City Hall in September with 16 boxes of petitions to force a referendum on the issue. “116,000 signatures — can you hear us now?” they asked, confident they had enough.

But an analysis by four news organizations finds the outcome — if city officials ever count the petitions — could be decided by a narrow margin.

Organizers of the monthslong petition drive to “Stop Cop City” still say they have 116,000 signatures, but a hand count by The Associated Press, Georgia Public Broadcasting, WABE and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tallied only about 108,500.