Redistricting battles continue in neighboring states
Democrats and Republicans are fighting redistricting in several states to increase the number of red or blue seats.
Fox – 5 Atlanta
- Georgia lawmakers have abandoned a special plan to redraw the state’s political map.
- The special session was originally called by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to create more favorable Republican districts in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act.
- Opponents of the redistricting effort celebrated the decision as a victory for voters and civil rights.
Georgia’s Legislature has scrapped a plan to redraw the state’s legislative district maps aimed at preserving the Republican majority in the narrowly divided U.S. House of Representatives, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Lawmakers’ decision came hours before a special legislative session was scheduled to begin June 17. Outgoing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has called Congress to try to draw new congressional maps ahead of the 2028 election, hoping to create more favorable boundaries for Republicans.
But Georgia House Speaker John Burns, also a Republican, said in a letter to Kemp that it never happened because the state Legislature has always given considerable time to public input on redistricting.
“Changes to Georgia’s maps should only occur when members of the General Assembly and the public have been given ample opportunity to gather facts, provide input, and engage in meaningful discussion,” Burns wrote. “For this reason, we will not address Congressional or Congressional redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during this special session.”
Georgia has become the latest Southern state to consider redistricting following the Supreme Court’s April ruling that effectively weakened Voting Rights Act protections for Black and Latino voters and created some majority-majority districts instead of scattered among white Republican districts. In a 6-3 vote, the high court struck down Louisiana’s black-majority congressional district, restricting a landmark 1965 civil rights law passed to protect the voting rights of racial minorities.
Other Republican-led southern states, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee, have introduced redrawn maps in time for this year’s elections, as Republicans currently hold slim majorities in the U.S. House of Representatives. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be on the ballot for November’s midterm elections, which will also give them control of the House.
But Burns told Kemp he could wait now because Georgia’s redistricting affects every voter in the state.
“This process has the potential to impact all voters, so it requires the same responsible, fact-based approach that guides every policy we consider as members of Congress, especially as we seek to understand the full implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Calais.”
Georgia Republican leaders say there isn’t enough time to tackle redistricting.
State lawmakers were already on the verge of having to return to the state Capitol in Atlanta at the end of their April regular session, with the issue of voter reform still on the agenda. However, redistricting was added to the agenda following the Supreme Court’s decision against Louisiana.
At a hastily organized news conference at the Capitol, Burns and other Georgia Republican legislative leaders reiterated that there is not enough time to push for redistricting in the current special session.
“When I learned that the House was on the call for a special session, I knew this was not the right path for our state to take at this time,” Burns said to a surprised ovation. “We believe in doing things the Georgia way. As with all issues before the House, responsibly, transparently, and with ample opportunity for public input.”
Burns said the justices are “currently analyzing” the impact of the high court’s decision on redistricting, and several cases are still pending. The state chairman said many of these incidents involve Georgia’s previous and current maps.
“We are confident that Georgia will prevail on its pending appeal, and we look forward to receiving additional judicial opinions that will assist in future mapping efforts,” Burns said.
Republican leaders have indicated that because Kemp is term-limited, redistricting could be revisited before a new governor takes office, ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
“With the current legislative and legislative district changes not going into effect until 2028, we believe we will take the appropriate and necessary time to accomplish this important task in the right way and not rush it,” said Republican state Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III, echoing Burns’ call for transparency and unity with the state Legislature.
In a written statement, Kemp disputed the comments made by Burns and his Republican colleagues.
“I don’t see any reason to delay the apportionment process, especially with Congress already convened,” Kemp said. “However, legal redistricting is the responsibility of the General Assembly, and it is within its discretion to postpone the matter until a later date.”
Redistricting opponents rejoice for now.
Opponents of Georgia’s redistricting plan have so far praised Republican lawmakers’ decision.
Isabel Otero, interim Georgia director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said in a June 17 statement that lawmakers were not brought back to the Capitol to solve real problems facing working families, including the rising cost of living, underfunding public schools, lack of health care and housing, and improving public safety.
“Governor Kemp’s objective was to do his part in a broader effort to wipe out black and brown political representation throughout the South,” Otero said. “But the governor has underestimated his own voters, and they showed up, they paid attention, and they made it clear they weren’t going to stand by and watch politicians play games with their voting rights.
“This decision by lawmakers to forego redistricting is a victory for voters, advocates, and communities who refused to be intimidated into silence,” Otero added.
Additionally, Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley and Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II said in a joint statement posted on social media that “we have won a monumental civil rights victory.”
“Republicans thought they could draw racist and unjust maps without a fight. Today, because of people’s participation and action, we won,” the politicians said. “Racist and unjust maps are dead for now, but we can’t stop fighting.
“Fight now and oust the Republican Party in November,” the politicians added. “And stop these racist and unjust maps forever.”
