Because Black voters in Georgia vote overwhelmingly for Democrats, new Black-majority districts will favor the party. But Democratic hopes to gain seats may have been premature.
‘The totality of the circumstances establishes that the enacted state Senate districting plan has the effect of denying Black voters an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of their choice.’
Republicans argue that Black populations in the state are too dispersed to be united into a second majority Black district.
Seeking to pull off the improbable in the Governor’s race, he has campaigned in all 82 counties.
‘The evidence before this court shows that Georgia has not reached the point where the political process has equal openness and equal opportunity for everyone.’
Court rulings diminish legal options for Democrats and their allies opposed to the new maps to challenge the lines in court.
A letter from the state’s two Democratic senators and six Democratic members of the House said the error has created a ‘barrier to the democratic process for these affected Virginians.’
The outcome of the cases could have major implications on the makeup of the next Congress if they result in more predominantly Black — likely Democratic Party-leaning — districts.
The decision was a loss for Alabama Republicans, who were reluctant to create a Democratic-leaning district.
The judges said the state-drawn plan — which had one majority Black district out of seven in a state that is 27% Black — illegally diluted the political power of Black residents.
