Georgia Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Pendergrass)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of Georgia voters challenging the state’s new congressional map enacted following the release of 2020 census data. The complaint argues that the new map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) because it dilutes the voting strength of Georgians of color, particularly Black Georgians, and denies these voters an equal chance to participate in the political process. Specifically, the plaintiffs argue that the Legislature should have created an additional majority-Black district in the Atlanta metropolitan area under the VRA because Black Georgians in that area vote cohesively as a bloc and are numerous and compact enough to form an additional majority-Black district. The plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to block the current map and order the creation of a new map that complies with the VRA. The court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction blocking the new congressional map, which means that it will be in place for the 2022 election cycle. In 2023, a trial was held from Sept. 5-14. Litigation that could affect the map for the 2024 election cycle is ongoing.

Last updated: September 26, 2023 8:28 am EST