Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan (R-Cumming) and State Senator John Kennedy (R-Macon) have released a proposed draft of new Georgia Congressional Districts.
Kennedy chairs the Georgia State Senate Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee.
The draft is available for members of the public to inspect on Duncan’s website.
Reapportionment involves redrawing district lines for the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2020 Census.
“It is clear that this map not only meets principles of redistricting, but we are proud to present a map that regardless of political party, Georgians can be proud of,” Duncan said in a press release.
“Ensuring that any maps we produce are fair, compact, and keep communities of interest together, will continue to be of upmost importance.”
Kennedy said members of the Georgia State Senate Redistricting Committee — despite the delay of official U.S. Census numbers — worked to hear from citizens across all regions of the state.
Duncan and Kennedy said state officials drew the proposed maps in accordance with longstanding principles of redistricting. The two men also said they are providing the maps to members of the public so that they may review and discuss.
“In 2011, Georgia’s redistricting maps were approved by the Obama Justice Department – avoiding the issues that occurred in 2001, which resulted in Georgia’s legislative redistricting maps being declared unconstitutional,” according to the press release.
“As the legislature begins the process of redistricting, the Senate is committed to continuing the practice of transparency and fairness. In an effort to provide both, the proposed map is being released as soon as practicable.”
Kennedy and State Representative Bonnie Rich (R-Suwanee) scheduled town halls last summer to hear and receive input from residents regarding the state’s reapportionment process. Rich chairs the House Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee.
Georgia residents offered testimony via Zoom for virtual hearings.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Georgia Capitol” by Autiger. CC BY-SA 2.0.
