Georgia Republicans cite timeline and legal review in decision to keep current congressional map

Georgia Republicans decided against redrawing the state's congressional districts during a special legislative session that concluded this week. House Speaker Jon Burns said the decision reflected the need for more time to review a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act and to follow the same public process used in prior redistricting cycles.

"The decision to not move forward with congressional redistricting this session was made after careful consideration of the timeline and the need to fully understand the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision," Burns said in a statement. "We believe that it's important to do things the Georgia way, responsibly, transparently, and with ample opportunity for public input."

The special session, which ended Wednesday, addressed several other items including a temporary moratorium on the state gasoline tax, property tax relief measures, and amendments to a 2024 law governing ballot-counting equipment ahead of the November elections.

Burns said redistricting changes would affect every voter in the state and therefore required the same deliberative steps taken during the 2021-2022 redistricting cycle, which included multiple committee hearings and public comment periods.

State Rep. Rob Clifton, a Republican from Columbia County, said Burns had directed members to prioritize careful review over expedited action. "The speaker has made it clear he wants to make sure we get this right, and that means taking the time to do it properly with input from all stakeholders," Clifton told reporters.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock returned to Georgia during the session and held events criticizing the possibility of new maps. Former state Rep. Stacey Abrams also appeared at the Capitol, warning that additional redistricting could create legal and political complications for Republicans in a state that has grown more competitive in recent election cycles.