Georgia state House lawmakers will not redraw voting districts during special session

Georgia House Lawmakers Delay Redistricting Plans for 2028 Election Cycle

Georgia state House lawmakers will not redraw - During this week’s special legislative session, Georgia’s House of Representatives has decided to postpone legislative redistricting. In a letter to Governor Brian Kemp, House Speaker John Burns, Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones, House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, and other Republican leaders stated their focus would shift to tax relief and ratifying the suspension of the state’s gas tax.

Supreme Court Ruling Influences Decision

Kemp called the session in May, weeks after the Supreme Court issued its 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. The leaders cited the decision as evidence that Georgia must update its electoral maps before the 2028 presidential election. “The House has always conducted redistricting with considerable time for public input and careful attention to constitutional requirements,” they wrote. “Since this process impacts every voter, it deserves the same responsible, fact-driven approach that guides every policy we consider as lawmakers.”

“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.

The letter also referenced ongoing litigation across the country concerning the Supreme Court’s ruling. Several cases involve Georgia’s current and past maps, indicating potential challenges to their constitutionality. “Changes to Georgia’s maps should occur only after members of the General Assembly and citizens have had ample opportunity to gather facts, provide input, and engage in meaningful discussion,” it added. “For this reason, we will not address congressional or legislative redistricting during this special session.”

Partisan Gerrymandering and Future Implications

Kemp responded that Georgia’s legislative maps are now deemed unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s ruling. “I do not believe there is reason to delay the apportionment process, especially with the legislature already in session,” he said. “Legislative districting remains the responsibility of the General Assembly, which can choose to defer the issue.”

Despite the delay, concerns persist about how redistricting might affect election outcomes. Partisan gerrymandering involves strategically redistributing voters—either concentrating certain groups into fewer districts or splitting them across more. In metro Atlanta, for instance, spreading nonwhite, Democratic-leaning voters across more districts could create an illusion of Republican dominance. However, the risk is that more competitive districts may emerge if white metropolitan voters trend less conservative, increasing opportunities for Democratic candidates to win.

“As I move around Georgia, ordinary people are very upset by this. And I think, you know, when you try to diminish people's voices, they don't take kindly to that,” said U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock during a CBS News conversation.

Warnock highlighted the political backlash tied to the Voting Rights Act’s weakening, noting that efforts to limit voting access often boost turnout rather than discourage it. While the state Senate is already viewed as strongly Republican, the House and U.S. House maps may face more scrutiny as the debate continues over their fairness and impact.

The Associated Press and previous CBS News reporting contributed to this report.