NRF Issues Statement as Georgia Court Hears Challenges Against Gerrymandered Maps

For Immediate Release
September 5, 2023
Contact
Jena Doyle
doyle@redistrictingfoundation.org

NRF Issues Statement as Georgia Court Hears Challenges Against Gerrymandered Maps

Washington, D.C. – Today, trials will begin before a Georgia federal district court in the cases Pendergrass v. Raffensberger, which is a challenge against Georgia’s congressional map, and Grant v. Raffensberger, which is a challenge against Georgia’s state legislative maps. In both lawsuits the maps are being challenged for diluting the voting power of Black Georgians in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), initiated these legal challenges in 2021. 

Olivia Mendoza, Director of Litigation and Policy for the NRF, released the following statement: 

“Georgia’s congressional and state legislative maps are textbook violations of the Voting Rights Act, and the court must protect the rights of Black Georgians. Over the last decade, Georgia’s Black population grew exponentially and now compose over one third of the state’s population. The map drawers failed to provide Black voters equal representation and have denied these voters their rights guaranteed by the Voting Rights Act. The maps should reflect Georgia’s changing demographics and allow Black voters the ability to elect candidates of their choice.” 

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