Politics & Government

Georgia Seeks Approval of Maps in Federal Court

State will drop suit if redrawn districts receive preclearance from U.S. Department of Justice

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Sam Olens announced Thursday (Oct. 6) the state has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking federal approval, or preclearance, of the newly drawn state legislative and congressional plans. The plans were adopted by the Georgia General Assembly based on 2010 Census data and signed by the governor.

Under the federal Voting Rights Act, Georgia must receive approval from the federal government before the maps can be implemented. States can seek that approval from the Justice Department or the DC district court. Deal and Olens expressed confidence that the new plans will be approved in a joint statement:

“Today we filed a lawsuit in the D.C. District Court seeking preclearance of our new state legislative and congressional plans. These plans were carefully drawn by the General Assembly to ensure that Georgia’s growing population is fairly represented, and we are confident that they meet the requirements for federal approval.

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“Like several other states, including Louisiana, Virginia and Alabama, Georgia will also submit the plans to the Department of Justice for administrative approval. If Georgia obtains administrative preclearance of the three plans, the state will dismiss the lawsuit.”


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