State of Georgia

Georgia Houston County Board of Commissioners At-Large Electoral Method Challenge

United States of America v. Houston County

Lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against Houston County, Georgia, and the members of the county board of commissioners challenging the at-large method for electing commissioners. The Houston County Board of Commissioners consists of five members, elected countywide to staggered four-year terms. The DOJ alleges that under the at-large system, Black voters who represent approximately 32 percent of the county’s voting-age population are unable to elect a candidate of their choice. They also allege that under a four-district or five-district plan, Black voters living in the northern and eastern parts of the county could be districted into a majority-Black district. The DOJ argues that the current system unfairly dilutes the political power of Black voters in Houston County, in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The DOJ asks the court to block the county from holding future elections under the at-large system and order the county to implement a new redistricting plan.

STATUS: The DOJ filed its complaint on Jan. 16, 2025. Houston County has not responded yet.

Case Documents

Last updated: