ATLANTA — In a significant move, Georgia’s Republican leaders have decided against revisiting election maps, despite encouragement from Governor Brian Kemp. This announcement came from the heads of both the House and Senate on Wednesday, shortly before they commenced a special legislative session.
House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, and Senate President Pro Tem Larry Walker III, R-Perry, highlighted ongoing legal battles over Georgia’s current maps as the reason for deferring any redistricting efforts.
“We knew it was not the right time for our state,” stated Burns.
Initially, Kemp had summoned legislators back to address an urgent matter concerning the July 1 ban on using QR codes for vote tallying, stemming from the impending special election to fill the late U.S. Rep. David Scott’s term, a Democrat who passed away in April.
Earlier in the year, lawmakers did not succeed in establishing or financing a new voting method during their regular session.
On June 3, Kemp extended the session’s agenda to include redistricting, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court’s April ruling that weakened the 1965 Voting Rights Act’s protection against voter dilution.
This ruling triggered swift redistricting in several Republican-led states, sparking widespread protests.
In Georgia, demonstrators gathered at the Gold Dome on Wednesday, accusing Republican leaders of attempting to marginalize Black voters to retain power.
Democrats seized the moment, organizing a press briefing at the Capitol before the Republicans’ session.
Charlie Bailey, Democratic Party chair in Georgia, warned that the GOP could face repercussions in the upcoming November elections if they proceeded with redistricting.
“If they want to tell the people of Georgia their votes don’t matter as much as their own political power, go ahead and make that bet and see what happens come this November,” Bailey remarked.
Walker mentioned that the Senate had informed Kemp earlier that day about their decision not to redraw maps during the special session. He emphasized that since the new maps would not be implemented until 2028, there is ample time for careful consideration.
As Burns attempted to conclude the press conference, protesters’ chants of “Black votes matter” overpowered his voice.
