Black fraternity files complaint over newly drawn Georgia political maps
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Attorneys representing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity filed objections to Georgia’s recently enacted political maps, asserting that the redrawn districts do not enhance opportunities for Black voters to select candidates for Congress and the General Assembly.
The actions by the Black fraternity follows Governor Brian Kemp’s signing into law new legislative and congressional maps, in response to a federal judge’s ruling that the 2021 districts diminished Black voting power in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Alpha Phi Alpha, alongside other plaintiffs, previously sued the state successfully over the 2021 maps.
In response to the recently approved maps, Alpha Phi Alpha’s attorneys argue that they fail to rectify the acknowledged vote dilution issue. In their complaint, the attorneys state, “The 2023 proposed plans fail to address the vote dilution found by this court after (the) trial. They instead perpetuate it.”
U.S. District Judge Steve Jones scheduled a hearing on December 20 regarding the new district lines, emphasizing concerns about the inadequacy of opportunities for Black voters in the 2021 maps. Despite Republican leaders asserting compliance with Judge Jones’ order to create specific Black-majority districts, Democrats argue that the GOP’s maps still fall short of providing adequate representation.
The new maps maintain Republicans’ 9-5 majority in the state’s U.S. House delegation and the GOP’s control in the General Assembly. If Judge Jones determines that the latest Republican redistricting continues to discriminate against Black voters, he could appoint a mapmaking expert to redraw the state’s maps. Ultimately, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court could be involved in deciding the case. Georgia election officials have set a deadline in January for finalizing the districts in preparation for next year’s elections.