Georgia Democrats have expressed their intention to take legal action after a special legislative session concluded with the passage of a congressional map that maintains a Republican majority in Georgia’s congressional delegation. The state lawmakers voted 98-71 in favor of the map, which creates a court-ordered Black-majority district on the west side of metro Atlanta and significantly alters a congressional district currently represented by Democrat Lucy McBath.
The Republican-drawn map aims to comply with U.S. District Judge Steve Jones’ order to address the illegal dilution of Black voters’ power in the previously approved 2021 congressional and legislative districts. However, Democrats argue that the map violates Jones’ order by eliminating minority opportunity districts elsewhere. They contend that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act protects districts composed of coalitions of nonwhite voters.
Meanwhile, Republicans maintain that Jones’ order only protects majority-Black districts and argue that preserving political power is not an improper goal. They cite a recent decision by a three-judge panel, which included Jones, that referred to the words on coalition districts in a 1990 case as “dicta,” indicating they are not binding precedent.
The passage of the congressional map follows the approval of state House and state Senate maps that also ensure Republican control of Georgia’s General Assembly. All three districting plans require the signature of Republican Governor Brian Kemp to become law. However, the final decision rests with Judge Jones, who will review whether the lawmakers’ actions fulfill his earlier order. If he disapproves of the maps, he may appoint a special master to redraw them for the court.
Georgia Democrats condemn the redistricting efforts, accusing the Republican Party of prioritizing political power over the interests of Georgia voters, representative democracy, and the rule of law. They argue that the maps are gerrymandered to maintain Republican control, despite the state’s growing nonwhite population and increased Democratic support in recent elections.
This is the second time in two years that Republicans have targeted Lucy McBath, a Black gun control activist, through redistricting. McBath initially won election in a majority-white district but was later redistricted into more Republican territory. Nevertheless, she successfully ran for a different district and defeated the Democratic incumbent in the primary.
The fate of Georgia’s redistricting plans now lies in the hands of Judge Jones, who will determine if the maps meet the requirements set forth in his previous order. Georgia Democrats are prepared to challenge the maps in court if they believe their concerns regarding minority opportunity districts have not been addressed. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the state’s political landscape and the power balance between Republicans and Democrats.
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