Georgia Lawmakers Convene Special Session for Voting District Redrawing

Georgia lawmakers are holding a special session to redraw voting districts in an effort to comply with a federal court order and increase the number of Black-majority districts. Republicans have proposed a map that would likely cost them only two seats while creating five more majority-Black districts that Democrats would be likely to win. However, the map also pairs three sets of Democratic incumbents, resulting in potential losses for Democrats. Senate Republicans have also proposed a map that creates two additional Black-majority districts while retaining their current majority. The state still needs to draw a new congressional map, which will include one new Black-majority seat. Democrats argue that Republicans are controlling the process and outcome, and there is uncertainty regarding the legality of dissolving the only congressional district held by a Democrat that is not majority-Black.