Legislators approve new Georgia congressional map
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A redrawn congressional district map is on Gov. Kemp's desk for his signature after the Georgia House on Thursday passed the new boundaries.
Why it matters: Should the map get approval, Georgia Republicans will have redrawn U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath's district, dramatically reducing her chances for re-election, for the second time in two years.
Catch up quick: U.S. District Court Judge Steve C. Jones ruled the existing congressional, state House and state Senate district maps violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and ordered lawmakers to redraw them by Friday.
Details: The new congressional map once again shifts McBath's 7th District further north, thereby absorbing more Republican territory.
- It also redraws the 6th District as majority Black, following the judge's order. It retains the current 9 Republicans, 5 Democrats split in the delegation.
- Meanwhile, the legislature approved the new Georgia House and Senate maps earlier this week. They also await Kemp's stamp of approval.
What they're saying: Republican state Rep. Soo Hong, who represents Lawrenceville, pointed out Gwinnett County is the second largest in Georgia, so "having multiple members of Congress makes sense."
- "As a Gwinnett resident, I like and appreciate the attention the county will get now with four members of Congress helping watch out for the needs of our county," she said.
Yes, but: State Rep. Jasmine Clark said the redrawn 7th Congressional District breaks up an existing minority opportunity district, which is prohibited by the Voting Rights Act.
- She also alleges the map "blatantly targets" McBath, who represented the 6th Congressional District when it was drawn into a more conservative area in 2021.
- "The people elected her, and it is not the job of map drawers to seek to undermine the will of the people by targeting her," Clark said.
What's next: Judge Jones will review the maps passed by legislators and determine if they comply with the Voting Rights Act. A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 20.