Judge rules Cupid’ electoral map unconstitutional, mandates new election

In 2022, Cobb Chair Lisa Cupid’s attempt to create a new electoral map using Home Rule faced widespread criticism regarding its legality. Despite these warnings, Cupid proceeded, drawing an alternate map after state legislators had drawn a map already moved Commissioner Jerica Richardson out of her district mid-term. Her decision led to significant controversy and financial repercussions, costing taxpayers millions, and causing legal disputes affecting two Commission District races.

The situation reached a boiling point on Thursday when Judge Kellie Hill declared Cupid’s map unconstitutional. Hill ruled in favor of plaintiff Alicia Adams, who was disqualified from running for office due to residing outside District 2 under Cupid’s map. The judge found that the Cobb County Commission’s map was “outside of the authority granted” by the Georgia Constitution’s Home Rule provision and affirmed Adams’ “clear legal right to seek qualification as a candidate” under the state-drawn map. Consequently, the primary elections for County Commission Districts 2 and 4, conducted in May, have been invalidated and will need to be redone.

This ruling represents a historic decision directly resulting from the Cobb County Commission’s 2022 move to redraw electoral lines. Despite knowing that the state constitution grants redistricting power to the state Legislature and not the county, Cupid and her gang argued that this power resided within the County under Home Rule.

As a result of the ruling,candidates who were previously disqualified or unsuccessful in May will have the opportunity to run again for Districts 2 and 4. The ruling reverses the Board of Elections’ decision to disqualify Adams and necessitates a special primary election for the affected districts. The elections for both districts will be postponed from November and may be scheduled for early 2025. Whenever the date is set, it will require residents to vote again.

Due to its neutral stance on the map’s legality, the Cobb Board of Elections is expected to adhere to the ruling and is unlikely to appeal. This is the second instance of Cobb Superior Court overturning the county’s self-imposed map. The first case, filed by voters and a sitting commissioner, also ruled against the county, but was ultimately dismissed by the Georgia Supreme Court on procedural grounds. 

The impact of Hill’s ruling on Commissioner Richardson, who does not reside in her elected District 2 under the state-drawn map, remains unclear. In response, Cupid stated she “respects Judge Hill’s ruling and will assess how to move forward.”  Some in the community point to Cupid’s ongoing self-inflicted wounds they have witnessed since she was first elected. These wounds, they say, are ultimately hurting citizens of Cobb who should remember Cupids’ incompetent leadership at the polls in November to vote her out of office.

Residents we spoke to have expressed hopes for former District 4 Candidate Yashica Marshall and District 2 Candidate Erick Allen to re-enter the race, saying they are the better candidates to represent the two districts.

Unfortunately, GOP contender Pamela Reardon, who was the sole primary candidate in May, does not reside in District 2 under the state map. She has decided to run for District 3 in 2026 but has criticized Lisa Cupid and the entire situation, highlighting the taxpayer burden caused by the botched map and the wasted funds on the primary and runoff elections.