By Saira Draper
An update on voting districts
Last month, the Georgia General Assembly passed a new set of legislative and congressional maps in response to a finding that the previous set of maps violated the Federal Voting Rights Act. Until recently, there was an open question as to whether the new maps would hold up in court.
We now have a decision. In a blow to voting rights advocates who wanted the new maps thrown out, a federal judge sided with the state and said Georgia sufficiently complied with his instructions in creating the new maps.
So the new maps will stand. At least for now.
Under the new maps, the boundaries of House District 90 change. Though 70% of the district remains intact, we will lose a few precincts to other districts, and we gain a few new precincts too.
New additions to House District 90 include the other half of Candler Park, parts of Druid Hills, DeKalb portions of Virginia Highlands, DeKalb portions of Morningside, and portions of Panthersville, including South DeKalb Mall.
We will lose the southern portion of Cedar Grove, areas around East Lake, and most of Kirkwood.
The State appealed the court’s finding that its original maps, passed in 2021, violated the Federal Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of Black voters. If the State’s appeal is successful, the possibility exists that the maps will change yet again.
The uncertainty of all this is bad for voters and really underscores why politicians shouldn’t be the ones drawing political maps.
However, it seems that for the 2024 election cycle, at least, the maps are finally set.
A new legislative session
The 2024 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly began on January 8. Until late March, my colleagues and I will be voting on statewide laws and policies that impact you and your family.
In addition to passing the State’s annual budget which allocates over 30 billion in state funds, anything from gun safety to education, to healthcare is fair game under the Gold Dome. Election season has started so there will be a lot of posturing and political agendas on display.
Republicans control the House and Senate and therefore drive the agenda. During the governor’s State of the State address, he laid out his hopes for the 2024 legislative session. While I applaud some initiatives, including a renewed focus on healthcare, I am concerned about a number of misplaced priorities and the omission of vital issues. I’m also concerned by the Governor’s divisive rhetoric, which I expect will only ratchet up as the 2024 election cycle heats up.
This session I resume my push for practical, fair and pro-voter election policy. I also remain prepared to fight attempts to change how Georgians vote amid false claims of election fraud.
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House have all indicated election policy will be on the table this year. Given that it is an election year, expect proposals that will make voting more difficult under the false pretexts of election security and “increasing trust in our elections.” For more frequent updates during the legislative session, sign up for my newsletter at sairadraper.com/newsletters and follow me on social media.
Saira Draper is an attorney, voting rights expert, and the State Representative for Georgia House District 90.