In a bold move to maintain their political dominance in Georgia, state senators passed a new congressional map that would ensure a 9-5 GOP advantage in the state's delegation. Despite concerns that this may violate the law protecting coalitions of nonwhite voters, the Senate voted 32-22 in favor of the plan. The proposed map includes a complete reconfiguration of the suburban Atlanta district currently represented by Democrat Lucy McBath. The plan will now be sent to the House for further debate.

Simultaneously, lawmakers gave final approval to maps that are expected to keep both chambers of the General Assembly under Republican control. The House and Senate maps will now be sent to Governor Brian Kemp, who will decide whether to sign them into law or issue a veto. The new state House map, which was passed with a 32-21 vote, has raised concerns among Democrats who believe it harms minority coalitions and preserves the majority of seats for Republicans. The Senate map, which aims to maintain a 33-23 Republican majority, was passed by the House with a vote of 98-71.

These redistricting efforts come as a response to U.S. District Judge Steve Jones' ruling in October that Georgia's congressional, state Senate, and state House maps violated federal law by diluting the voting power of Black citizens. Judge Jones mandated the creation of additional majority-Black districts in order to rectify this issue. Lawmakers were called into a special session to address these concerns and draw new district lines. The creation of a new congressional district on the western side of metro Atlanta was one of the specific requirements set forth by the judge.

While Republicans argue that the proposed maps meet Judge Jones' requirements to draw more majority-Black districts, Democrats argue that they fall short. Senator Ed Harbison, a Columbus Democrat, criticized Republicans for treating Lucy McBath as a political pawn, stating that she "has been shuffled around like a chess piece." This is not the first time that Republicans have targeted McBath, who is a gun control activist. They previously redrew her district into more Republican territory, forcing her to run in a more Democratic-leaning district and defeating the incumbent Democrat in the primary.

Democrats argue that the proposed maps do not do enough to enhance Black voting power and opportunities. They claim that the new maps have diluted Black voting power, similar to the maps drawn in 2021. Republicans, however, dismiss these claims as partisan arguments aimed at increasing the number of Democratic representatives in Congress from Georgia. They argue that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that partisan gerrymandering is legal.

The key legal question surrounding these redistricting efforts is whether federal law protects voting districts where a coalition of nonwhite voters holds influence. Republicans in Georgia argue that such districts are not protected by the federal Voting Rights Act, allowing them to target Lucy McBath's district for a drastic transformation. They contend that only majority-Black districts are protected. However, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, has previously ruled that minority coalitions are indeed protected from having their votes diluted.

The debate over the legality of targeting McBath's district for political gain is likely to hinge on this question. The proposed congressional map would divide McBath's current 7th District between two Democratic and two Republican incumbents, effectively reducing the chances of electing a Democrat. However, lawmakers intend to create a new majority-Black 6th District in other parts of metro Atlanta. Advocacy groups opposing partisan gerrymandering argue that McBath's district, although a coalition of racial groups, should still be considered a minority opportunity district.

The question of whether minority coalition districts are protected by law has been the subject of conflicting rulings in different circuit courts. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, has previously ruled in favor of protecting such districts. However, an upcoming appeal of a case from Galveston County, Texas, may challenge this precedent. In 1996, another circuit court rejected protection for a minority coalition in a Michigan county.

The outcome of these redistricting efforts will have significant implications for Georgia's political landscape. Republicans aim to maintain their dominance in the state's congressional delegation, despite the fact that nearly half of Georgia voters have consistently supported Democratic candidates in recent statewide elections. Democrats argue that the proposed maps undermine the representation of Black voters and disregard the goal set by Judge Jones to enhance Black representation. The fate of these maps now lies in the hands of Governor Brian Kemp, who will determine whether they become law or face a veto.