Georgia Republicans advance new legislative maps, unveil proposed Congressional map

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Georgia Republican lawmakers unveiled their proposed Congressional map on Friday, which adds an additional majority-Black district in west Metro Atlanta, but seeks to preserve Republicans’ current 9-5 advantage.

That comes on the heels of Friday votes in the Georgia House and Senate passing their respective redistricting maps, just days into a special legislative session that gaveled-in on Wednesday. The Senate map adds two majority-Black districts and the House adds five majority-Black House districts.

The maps still have to clear the opposite chamber before they go to the governor’s desk.

The Republican-drawn state legislative maps passed over the objection of Democrats, who accused the majority of ramming through maps with scant opportunity for public comment, debate or changes.

Lawmakers are facing a Dec. 8 deadline set by U.S. District Judge Steve Jones, who found the current districts that were passed in 2021 illegally dilute the power of Black voters. He instructed lawmakers to revise the maps by creating additional majority-Black districts.

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