(The Center Square) – Georgia lawmakers will return to Atlanta on June 17 to consider redrawing the state’s political boundaries and address voting issues created by a two-year-old law.
Kemp’s proclamation says the General Assembly will consider state House and Senate districts as well as congressional districts. But Kemp is not considering changing the 2026 midterms, as was done in Tennessee.
Any changes approved by state lawmakers will take effect in the 2028 election cycle.
Georgia has nine Republicans and four Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, with one vacancy. Democratic Rep. David Scott, 80, died April 22. The special election in the 13th Congressional District is July 28.
State Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, said the map would weaken the voice of Black communities.
“We can’t sit this out,” Kemp said in a social media post. “We organize, speak out, and vote. Fair representation, voting rights, healthcare, and higher wages are all on the line.”
Lawmakers will also address Senate Bill 189, which requires the state to stop using QR codes to count ballots by July 1.
The General Assembly’s Freedom Caucus said it is an opportunity to do more. The conservative group of lawmakers does not disclose its members, but Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, has said he is a member. He had advocated for hand-marked ballots.
“The time is now to scrap the machines and go to paper ballots,” the Freedom Caucus said on social media. “The time is now to end racial gerrymandering and provide Georgians with fair electoral maps.”
The special session will be held a day after the June 16 primary runoff election.