Georgia House Republicans are shelving plans to redraw congressional and legislative districts, halting an effort that could have reshaped the state’s political maps for 2028.
House Speaker Jon Burns (R) and other GOP leaders told Gov.
The reversal sidelines what could have been the next major redistricting fight after a string of states moved to redraw maps years before the next census. Unlike states that sought immediate gains in this year’s congressional elections, Georgia Republicans were looking ahead to 2028 as questions loom over whether they can maintain full control of the government.
“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,” House GOP leaders wrote in the letter obtained by Bloomberg Government. “For this reason, we will not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during this special session.”
Burns, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, added that rushing a redistricting so soon after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision is “not the right path forward for our state at this time.”
“Changes to our district maps have the potential to impact every voter in Georgia, and they deserve the same thoughtful, fact-driven process that has always guided the House,” he said.
Kemp called the special session after saying the Supreme Court’s Callais decision requires Georgia to adopt new political maps before 2028.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to Bloomberg Government’s request for comment on Wednesday.
“The Supreme Court’s decision Louisiana v. Callais restores fairness to our redistricting process and allows states to pass electoral maps that reflect the will of the voters, not the will of federal judges,” Kemp said in a previous statement provided by spokesperson Annalise Morning on Tuesday. “Voting is already underway for the 2026 elections, but it’s clear that Callais requires Georgia to adopt new electoral maps before the 2028 election cycle.”
While the governor has the authority to call a special session and set the agenda, the General Assembly controls the schedule and order in which items are considered, Kemp’s office said.
Republicans already hold nine of 14 congressional districts in Georgia, which is among the nation’s most politically competitive states. The other districts are held by Black Democrats, including Rep.
After the Callais ruling in April, which curtailed race-based redistricting, some Republican-led Southern states put in place new maps for this year’s election that dismantled predominantly Black districts. South Carolina rejected a new map for this year’s election that would have eliminated the district of Rep.
Georgia lawmakers are still expected to meet during the special session to address other issues, including changes to the state’s election system and property taxes.