Georgia House leaders delay redistricting debate during special session

Georgia state House lawmakers say they will hold off on redrawing Georgia’s legislative maps during the special legislative session Wednesday. 

House Speaker Jon Burns, House Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones, House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, and other Republican leaders said in a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp that they will spend the session discussing tax relief and ratifying the state’s gas tax suspension.

“In regard to your request to redistrict for the 2028 election cycle, the House has always conducted redistricting with considerable time for public input and with careful attention to constitutional requirements and the interests of every Georgia community,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. “Since this process has the potential to impact every voter, it deserves the same responsible, fact-driven approach that guides every policy we consider as lawmakers, especially as we seek to understand the full implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais.”

Kemp called the special session in May shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that essentially gutted the Voting Rights Act. Kemp said the ruling meant Georgia would need new electoral maps before the 2028 presidential election.

The House leaders pointed out that several court cases involving Georgia’s current and previous maps are ongoing and could be impacted by the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Changes to Georgia’s maps should take place only when members of the General Assembly and citizens have been given ample opportunity to gather the facts, provide input, and engage in meaningful discussion,” the letter reads. “For this reason, we will not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during this special session.”

Kemp responded to the letter by saying that Georgia’s current maps are now unconstitutional due to the ruling.

“I do not believe there is reason to delay the apportionment process, especially with the legislature already convening,” Kemp said. “Legislative districting, however, is the responsibility of the General Assembly, and it is within their discretion to defer the issue until a later date.”