Georgia's House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed a redistricting plan for two counties that was opposed by local Democrats. opposed by local | Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay
Georgia's House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, passed a redistricting plan for two counties that was opposed by local Democrats. opposed by local | Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay
The Georgia House of Representative, controlled by Republicans, has approved redistricting plans for in Augusta-Richmond County and Gwinnett County, over the opposition of Democrats in those counties, Fox 5 reported.
The House approved Senate Bill 457 redrawing the lines for Augusta-Richmond commission elections and Senate Bill 458 for Richmond County's School board contests, the station reported.
It also also approved Senate Bill 369, which will make Gwinnett County school board elections nonpartisan so that Democrats and Republicans to running without party labels
and Senate Bill 437 redrawing Fulton County commission lines, which was opposed by House Democrats but supported by Senate Democrats, Fox 5 said.
All four bills are headed to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature, the story said.
Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta) said the new districts split fewer precincts and preserved some neighborhoods and six majority-Black districts on both the commission and school board.
"We all use the tools that we have to represent our districts," Newton said, Fox 5 reported.
But Rep. Gloria Frazier (D-Hephzibah) said the Republican plan was drawn, so that some white residents wouldn't be represented by Black officials.
"They’re trying to protect a small number of white residents preferably in district eight from having a Black commissioner," Frazier said, according to Fox 5. "That’s what this is all about."
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