Advocates Voice Continued Concerns About Redistricting in Georgia

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2021

Contact: Jennifer R. Farmer, jenniferr@spotlightpr.org

Atlanta, GA - With the release of the first draft congressional map from Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and Senator John F. Kennedy, Georgia advocates remain very concerned that redistricting will be used to strip away voting power from communities of color. Despite claims from the map creators that this is a “fair map,” it is clear that communities of color are being packed and cracked in parts of the state. 

“Repeatedly, we have asked for a fair and transparent redistricting process and continue to be ignored. Once again those in power are drawing maps behind closed doors, without input from  the voters, or even their fellow legislators. We question why this draft map was released by Lieutenant Governor Duncan and Senator Kennedy alone. Were the members of the joint committees a part of the process to create the map? If members of the legislature or the public take issue with this draft map, what is the process for that input to be delivered? Will the map be modified based on input received? We still have more questions than answers.” - Aunna Dennis, Executive Director, Common Cause Georgia

“These maps were presented as fair, but we know that we cannot trust the same people who diminished our voting rights earlier this year, and also took countless testimonies over the summer but implemented none of the input they received. We asked that our communities be kept whole and for maps drawing people into power versus ones that diminish the people’s ability to have true representation at decision making tables.  These maps intentionally, and with “laser like precision”, dilute the voting power of millions of Black people across the state, and especially in rural communities. We will continue to lift our voices in opposition to unfair processes, and we will wield the organizing power of the people to get the answers and maps we deserve.”  - Fenika Miller, Black Voters Matter Fund

“Our communities worked tremendously hard in 2020. We flooded the polls, the streets and the airways to show that our communities could not be silenced. From social justice issues, presidential elections, voting rights and more, we have spoken up. However, we have more work to do. Now is not the time to be complacent. Now is not the time to think that someone else will take care of it. Now is the time to choose, rather than have choices made for you.” - Susannah Scott, President of the League of Women Voters of Georgia

“Once again, Georgia’s New American communities are being left out of redistricting. Not only was the draft map simply announced on twitter without details of its impact, the entire announcement was in English only. Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and Senator Kennedy clearly do not intend to make this process accessible to all.” -LaVita Tuff, Policy Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta

“The redistricting process is part and parcel to fair democratic elections. At every turn there are those who seek to nullify the votes of those who have been historically disenfranchised and they do it under the cloak of mistruth and double talk. Communities are present and demanding to be let into the mapping process. The draft congressional map from Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and Senator John F. Kennedy is more of the same partisan politics that attempt to dismantle votes and will not go unanswered.” Wan R. Smith, Georgia Conservation Voters

“Draft maps have been released without a clear process for feedback, community engagement or discussion that would include residents directly affected by how the lines are drawn. This creates confusion in an already complex process that fundamentally determines who has the chance to be elected and therefore make policy. The diverse communities that call Georgia home must be part of this process.” Gigi Pedraza, Executive Director of LCF Georgia

“Redistricting should be an open, transparent process that accurately captures the voting power of Georgia's diverse populations. More than anything, the population and voting gains of the state's Black population must be preserved.” Deborah Scott, Georgia StandUp

“We are in shock that ‘Draft maps have been released’ despite  several calls for inclusiveness, transparency, and clear process. We appeal to be given the opportunity to be included in this conversation and for a proper map that is truly representative of our communities who today make up a strong force that cannot be ignored.“ Glory Kilanko, Founder & CEO of Women Watch Afrika.”

"Maps should be drawn with substantive input from communities of interest in Georgia, including college students.  Many campus communities are also communities of color. As such, they have been targeted for gerrymandering in the past and are at increased risk to have their communities "cracked" into multiple districts and their voices diminished. College communities must be considered as important communities of interest when Congressional and state legislative maps are drawn and be given a meaningful say in the redistricting process."  Ciarra Malone, Georgia State Coordinator for Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project

“The method with which this draft map was released demonstrates a clear lack of transparency and inclusion that alienates communities of color. Our repeated demands for increased language access have not been met with the release of an English-only proposal. Although our community members continue to demand our participation in the mapping process, it’s clear that our input is not being heard. Georgia’s rapidly-growing diverse communities deserve pathways that enhance our participation within the redistricting process— this is integral to preserving fair and inclusive democratic processes.” - Shafina Khabani, Executive Director of Georgia Muslim Voter Project

Advocates call for a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Duncan and Senator Kennedy for a discussion of the impacts this proposed map has for communities of color in Georgia and to share potential resolutions. We also call, again, for a process and timeline for Georgians to be able to provide feedback and recommended changes to the proposed maps.