Parent Press: Senate Democrats Proposed Congressional Map
Today I have some important information to share with you.
As you may be aware, the Georgia General Assembly will begin redrawing maps for Congressional, State House and State Senate districts in response to population changes reflected in the 2020 census. These maps will affect how fairly Georgians are represented for the next decade.
Today Georgia Democrats have released
our proposed Congressional Map
Democrats have spent several months touring the state and engaging with the public on the redistricting process and talking to voters about what they want the eventual maps to reflect. This map is a culmination of those important conversations. Democrats’ priority is to make sure all Georgians’ voices are heard equally in our democracy.
This is the fair map that Georgians have been asking for which reflects Georgia’s diverse population, allows voters of color an equal opportunity to elect their candidates of choice, reflects the political preferences of Georgia voters, and reflects changing population trends within Georgia. Georgia’s population has grown, become more diverse, and more concentrated in the urban and suburban regions of Metro Atlanta.
This proposal fairly reflects population growth and shifts within Georgia. Metro Atlanta drove Georgia’s population growth over the last decade, and now more than half of Georgians live in the region. This map reflects this shift by centering seven districts within Metro Atlanta.
This map splits the districts evenly, and reflects the demographic shifts we have seen in Georgia.
Several weeks ago, Republicans released their own proposed congressional map. Their map is gerrymandered to produce 9 - 5 Republican-Democrat majority districts. This gives Republicans a 65% majority. It is pretty clear, from the census data and the last election, that Georgia is not a 65-35 State. That is gerrymandering. You can see this map here.
If you want to learn more about the process and how it impacts you, this video from Fair Districts GA does a great job of explaining the process and how you can get involved.
It is important that voters pay attention and make their voices heard. Significant public pressure can force Republicans to avoid the most egregious gerrymandering. Awareness of gerrymandering can fuel outrage which can create a backlash that will help Democrats in future elections. And finally, records of public comments and participation in the process will strengthen lawsuits that are sure to be filed.
You can submit a public comment advocating for fair maps that reflect the population changes in Georgia, or get more involved with one of the many organizations doing great work around redistricting.
Early Voting has begun!
Early voting for the November 2 Election goes through October 29.
7am-7pm weekdays and 9am-6pm Sat (Oct 16 & 23).
Berean Christian Church
Bessie Branham Recreation Center
County Line-Ellenwood Library
Dunwoody Library
Lynwood Recreation Center
Stonecrest Library
Tucker- Reid H. Cover Library
Voter Registration & Elections Office, Memorial Dr.
For more information, go to www.DeKalbVotes.com, and if you have a question, call the Voter Protection Hotline at 888-730-5816.
Sincerely,
Elena