Georgia Legislative Redistricting Challenge (Alpha Phi Alpha)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sixth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Georgia voters against the state’s new legislative districts. The lawsuit argues that the new state House and Senate districts dilute the voting strength of Black Georgians in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs ask the court to block the maps and order the creation of new maps that do not dilute the voting power of Black voters. The plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to block the use of the new legislative maps in future elections and order the creation of new maps that do not dilute Black Georgians’ voting strength. The court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction blocking the new legislative maps, which means that they will be in place for the 2022 election cycle. In 2023, a trial was held from Sept. 5-14. On Oct. 26, 2023, a federal judge struck down the legislative maps for violating Section 2 of the VRA and ordered the Legislature to redraw the state Senate and state House maps for the 2024 election cycle.

On Nov. 22, the defendants appealed the decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On Dec. 20, there will be a hearing in the district court on the legislative maps for 2024.  On Dec. 28, 2023, the judge upheld the state’s remedial legislative maps that were enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature. In January 2024, the plaintiffs appealed the judge’s order approving the remedial maps to the 11th Circuit.

This case was consolidated with Pendergrass v. Raffensperger, where all future updates can be found.

Last updated: February 16, 2024 1:30 pm EST