Georgia proposal would bar political favoritism in election district maps

Mapmakers would be barred from favoring or disfavoring political parties, political organizations, or incumbents. The rules would cover congressional districts, Georgia House and Senate districts, and other statewide maps for electing state officers. Judicial circuits would be excluded. The bans would cover both intentional favoritism and maps that produce that result. Mapmakers could not use party politics to set district rules. Maps could not intentionally deny racial minorities an equal chance to take part in politics or reduce their ability to elect state officers of their choice, or produce those results. These rules would become part of Georgia’s Constitution if voters ratify the amendment.

Mapmakers would have to connect each district’s territory, meet population limits, and try to keep local areas together. These standards would cover congressional and statewide election maps, excluding judicial circuits. Congressional districts would need populations within one person of the ideal size; Georgia House and Senate districts would need populations within 50 people. Territory touching at only one point would not count as connected. Whenever possible, mapmakers would have to make all reasonable efforts to avoid splitting counties, towns, school systems, voting precincts, and communities with shared interests. Shared interests would exclude ties to political parties, political organizations, incumbents, or candidates. These standards would become part of Georgia’s Constitution if voters ratify the amendment.

Any registered Georgia voter would be allowed to challenge whether a covered election map or district follows the Constitution. Challenges could concern congressional districts, Georgia House and Senate districts, and other statewide maps for electing state officers. Judicial circuits would be excluded. A voter would bring the challenge in the superior court of the county where the voter lives. This right would become part of Georgia’s Constitution if voters ratify the amendment.