'People Are Very Upset': Georgia Halts Plan to Redraw Maps After Black Leaders, Protestors Take Over Capitol
Republicans said they would revisit maps later, avoiding an immediate fight that could trigger backlash before November and complicate already underway primary voting.
- Georgia Republicans announced Wednesday they will not redraw legislative or congressional maps during the current special session, as House Speaker Jon Burns and Senate President Pro Tem Larry Walker III confirmed the decision after rank-and-file lawmakers expressed significant hesitation.
- Rank-and-File lawmakers balked at the process, fearing political backlash in November and concern that incumbents might face new voters; the plan to draw maps now but delay implementation until 2028 created internal resistance.
- U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock criticized the move, telling the Capitol on Wednesday, "And now you're trying to rob Georgians of their voice," while Rep. Scott Hilton argued the process requires more public input before proceeding.
- CBS Atlanta reported the special session will now focus on tax relief and ratifying the state's gas tax suspension, with legislative leaders noting that map changes require ample opportunity for citizen input and meaningful discussion.
- Republicans could revisit redistricting after November's general election or in 2027 to bolster legislative majorities, potentially shifting Georgia's 14-member congressional delegation, which currently includes nine Republicans, further in the GOP's favor.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Georgia Lawmakers Nix Redistricting On Day 1 Of Special Session
By Rebecca Buis, The Daily Signal | June 19, 2026 Leaders of Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday announced they will not redraw the state’s district maps this year despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision in April that said race-based gerrymandering is unconstitutional. Recently, some lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly argued in favor of drawing new district lines for the 2028 elections following the high court ruling. G…
GA Dems Heave Collective Sigh Of Relief Over Redistricting Decision
Democrats in Georgia are celebrating as Republicans in the state abandoned efforts to redraw congressional maps that would have taken effect in 2028. Eight Georgia Republicans, including Speaker of the House Jon Burns, sent a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday informing him that they would not be going through with his request to enact redistricting ahead of the 2028 election cycle. “Changes to Georgia’s maps should take place only when memb…
Georgia Redistricting Debate Among Georgia General Assembly
Leaders of Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday announced they will not redraw the state’s district maps this year despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision in April that said race-based gerrymandering is unconstitutional. Recently, some lawmakers in the Georgia General Assembly argued in favor of drawing new district lines for the 2028 elections following the high court ruling. Gov. Brian Kemp added it to the agenda for the spec…
Georgia Republican lawmakers drop plans to redistrict, citing pending legal cases
Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker joined by House Speaker Jon Burns for a press conference where Burns announced Republicans would not pursue redistricting efforts during the special session on June 17, 2026, in the state Capitol in Atlanta. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder Georgia Republicans abruptly changed course on redistricting Wednesday, retreating from their plans to redraw congressional and state district lines for the 2028 electi…
Griffin Daily News
Georgia RecorderOn redistricting, Georgia GOP lawmakers concluded today’s election risks outweighed future gains
Georgia Republicans were confronted with a fundamental mismatch when it comes to redistricting. They weren’t going to reap the benefits of new maps until 2028, but they were going to face the risk of a political backlash this November. Add…
'People Are Very Upset': Georgia Halts Plan to Redraw Maps After Black Leaders, Protestors Take Over Capitol
Georgia lawmakers have agreed to hold off on redrawing the state’s legislative maps during a special legislative session. Several Republican lawmakers wrote Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday. CBS Atlanta reported that they were clarifying that the special session would focus on tax relief and ratifying the state’s gas tax suspension. “Changes to Georgia’s maps should take place only when members of the General Assembly and citizens have been given am…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
