Ryan Splitlog looked up at the rain pouring down on Atlanta and shook his head.

“It’s been a huge problem. Rain, this summer, has been a freak thing,” he said from under his umbrella.

Opponents of the new Falcons stadium have until August 10th to collect 35,000 signatures if they hope to put the issue of Atlanta’s $200 million contribution to the project on the ballot. Splitlog, assistant director at Common Cause, admitted that is almost certainly not enough time. He was supposed to be out collecting signatures in Woodruff Park Monday. But, he said, nobody wants to stop and sign a petition in a downpour.

Common Cause has fewer than ten volunteers to collect those 35,000 signatures. That means each volunteer has to collect thousands of signatures in less than two weeks.

Splitlog said the petition drive has become something of a Hail Mary effort.

“But sometimes you catch those Hail Mary’s in the end zone for a touchdown,” he said.

Spitlog and those in his corner are hopeful the rain will stop before the clock runs out.