Gov. Brian Kemp signs off on controversial maps

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has given his approval to recently revised congressional and legislative district maps passed by Georgia Republican legislators, over the objection of Democrats.

The Republican-controlled General Assembly also approved new maps for the state House and Senate and continues to protect the Republican’s 9-5 advantage in the state delegation to the U.S. House.

The maps were redrawn after U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ruled that Georgia’s current political boundaries illegally weakened Black voting power in violation of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

Some say the new maps violate a federal judge’s order requiring additional majority-Black districts and continue to discriminate against people of color. The newly drawn maps have set the stage for a potential high-stakes court battle, determining which districts will be utilized in the upcoming elections in 2024..

Drawn along party lines, the controversial new maps were created during the recent special legislative session initiated by a federal court in response to a judge’s determination that Georgia’s previous maps were unconstitutional.

Georgia Democrats argue that the redrawing by their Republican colleagues superficially alignment, as they point to shuffled districts that falsely appear to be in compliance, rather than genuinely adhering to the judge’s directive. 

The special session commenced on November 29 and lawmakers voted to approve the maps on Tuesday, December 5. The legislation for the updated districts reached Kemp for approval on Thursday, December 7, and he officially signed them into law the following day. 

During the redistricting meetings at the capitol, controversy rose as Republican lawmakers took moves to place Democratic lawmakers in the same district as fellow Democratic members, and failed to produce new districts as the court directed.

Various voting rights organizations are expected to contest the newly approved maps in court.

A hearing on the new maps is slated for December 20. If Judge Jones determines that the General Assembly has failed to comply with his order, he has the authority to appoint a special master to redraw the political boundaries.

In the event of such a decision, it is anticipated that the case would swiftly escalate to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and potentially reach the highest judicial authority in the country, the U.S. Supreme Court.