The Redistricting Special Session Begins
Wednesday the Georgia General Assembly began its Redistricting Special Session. During this Special Session we will complete the once-in-a-decade redistricting process. The result will be new maps for Congressional, State Senate and State House districts. Democrats proposed all 3 maps over the past several weeks, providing time for review before session began. However, except for one Congressional map proposed in late September, Georgia Republicans did not release any map proposals until Tuesday evening.
The night before our session began, as the polls were closing for municipal elections and the Braves were warming up for their World Series victory, the Georgia Republicans released their Proposed Georgia Senate and House maps - providing little time for review or public comment before our session began.
The Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee convened for two days of hearings and public comments beginning with just 24 hours' notice. Dozens of voters stood up to ask for transparency, more time and consideration, and a fair and balanced map. There were no comments in support of the Republican proposed map. Today the Democrats had an opportunity to present our map and analysis. Despite Democrat efforts to extend the hearings and provide more time for fact-based analysis and public input, the committee voted to pass the Republican map out of committee. This map included a few changes that no one has had an opportunity to fully review.
This is not the transparent process voters asked for in hearings held all over the state!
Georgians are demanding fair maps that reflect our state's diversity and political reality. The GOP's proposed map fails on both fronts.
Democrats have proposed a map which is fair and better reflects the will of the voters and Georgia’s diverse population. Unfortunately, Republicans are intent on ramming through their proposal.
Continue to submit your comments for the public record and to help us work to influence these maps!
https://www.legis.ga.gov/joint-office/reapportionment/public-comments
Georgia Republicans proposed
State Senate Map
This Republican proposed Senate map fails to fairly reflect GA’s diversity, its partisan make up, and was rated an 'F' by an independent analysis for both.
Georgia is one of the most diverse states in the country, and likely already a majority-minority state.
The proposed map contains only 20 districts in which minorities are a majority (36%) and targets the only Asian-American Woman in the Senate by reducing the minority voting age population of District 48 by 15%.
This map also contains only 14 districts in which Black voters are a majority. It reduces the Black voting age population of the 17th district, which it can easily be drawn as a compact majority Black district as demonstrated in our plan.
Georgia is equally divided politically, which we saw clearly in the last election cycle. Yet this map fails to to give voters an opportunity to elect a Senate delegation that reflects their political preferences.
The proposed map contains 33 districts that likely elect Republicans and only 23 that likely elect Democrats.
Non-partisan analysis finds it creates a “significant Republican advantage.”
In contrast, Georgia Senate Democrats’ plan contains 27 districts that likely elect Republicans, 25 districts that likely elect Democrats, and 4 competitive districts.
Georgia Republicans Proposed Maps
Georgia Democrats Proposed Senate Map
Princeton Gerrymandering Project
Independent Analysis
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project provides a non-partisan, independent analysis, comparing maps to benchmarks created by running one million simulated maps from the Georgia 2020 census data. They analyzed both the Senate Democrat proposed maps and the Republican proposed maps.
The Republican proposed map gets an 'F' overall. We learned from testimony that the Republican maps fall outside the benchmarks for 99% of the million maps for partisan fairness, and outside the benchmarks of 95% of the maps for competitiveness with only 1 competitive district.
The democratic maps in contrast got an A for partisan fairness and are well balanced, and include 3 competitive districts, within the benchmarks of the analysis.
You can read more of their analysis here and see detailed summaries of the Princeton Gerrymandering Project from their partners at Fair Districts Georgia.
Senate Democrats Map gets an 'A'
Republican proposed Senate maps get an 'F'
Congressional and State House Maps
Republican and Democrats have proposed maps for the Georgia State house and Congressional Districts. There will be more analysis to share as the Committee hearings begin on these maps.
The Democrat maps reflect the diversity of Georgia, better represent voters of color, and reflect the population growth and shifts within Georgia.
You can see these proposed maps here:
Georgia Democrats Proposed House Map
Georgia Republicans Proposed House Map
Georgia Democrats Proposed Congressional Map
Georgia Republicans Proposed Congressional Map
Run-Off Nov 30
Democrats had great success in Tuesday's municipal elections, gaining a net total of more than 30 seats and counting, including mayorships in Cairo, Stone Mountain, Hampton, and McDonough and crucial city council seats in Lawrenceville, Peachtree Corners, Sandy Springs, Tucker, Stone Mountain, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Kennesaw, and Powder Springs.
Locally, the DeKalb County E-SPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) passed overwhelmingly!
If you live in the City of Atlanta boundaries, prepare to vote in the November 30 Run-off.
Runoff for Atlanta City Mayor:
Felicia Moore
Andre Dickens
Runoff for Atlanta City Council President:
Natalyn Archibong
Doug Shipman
We will have more details for you about early voting dates and deadlines. Note the turnaround time for absentee ballots is very tight. If you want to vote absentee, make sure to request your ballot today!
For more information go to www.DeKalbVotes.com
World Series Champion Atlanta Braves!!
How about those Braves!
Congratulations to the Braves and to all you superfans out there!!