A federal judge is currently examining Georgia's redrawn political maps after critics and state Democrats claimed they failed to address issues of racial discrimination as ordered, reports say. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones held a Wednesday hearing in Downtown Atlanta to decide if the updated district maps meet the requirements of his previous ruling which demanded additional Black-majority districts.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, State Representative Viola Davis, a Democrat, slammed the new maps saying, "These maps do not remedy the problem at all." The alterations come after Judge Jones ruled in October that some of Georgia's districts were racially discriminatory, ordering the creation of an additional Black-majority congressional district and more state legislative districts, but state lawmakers appear to have enacted changes that still maintain a Republican stronghold.
During the Wednesday proceedings, plaintiffs who had previously challenged the districting called the new maps a "mockery" that failed to comply with federal law, with accusations of the state playing a "shell game" by merely shuffling demographics rather than providing increased power for Black voters. "The inescapable conclusion is that the proposed plans do not come close to following the court’s order," lawyers for the plaintiffs wrote, and as relayed by FOX 5 Atlanta.
In a stark contrast, state Republicans argue that the redrawn maps do indeed follow the judge's orders, with House Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee Chairman Rob Leverett stating, "This plan adds the required district; it complies with Judge Jones’ order," which he told his legislative colleagues, it also reportedly fulfills the General Assembly's obligations concerning congressional districts. However, the plaintiffs maintain dissatisfaction, asserting through their lawyer, Abha Khanna, "The state of Georgia is playing games," which Khanna explained during the court hearing and was cited by AP News.
If Judge Jones disapproves of the new districting maps, he could appoint a special master to undertake the redrawing for the court, a move that will need to be finalized before next month in anticipation of the March primary. The legal tussle continues as Georgia's voters and lawmakers alike anticipate a resolution that aligns more closely with the judge's directive to diminish vote dilution and bolster equitable representation.
