Georgia will appeal judge's redistricting decision but won't seek to pause ruling for now

The Georgia House of Representatives begins the legislative session as the new Georgia House Speaker, Jon Burns, speaks at the Georgia State capitol on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP Photo)

Lawyers for the State of Georgia say they will appeal a judge’s order to redraw some congressional and state legislative districts, but that they won’t fight in court to pause the order for now, meaning a special session later this month to draw new lines will likely proceed.

The filing came Wednesday in a second case challenging Georgia’s electoral districts being pursued by different plaintiffs. The decision not to seek a stay of the ruling could forestall that second trial.

It wasn’t immediately clear Wednesday why the state is pursuing this strategy. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr, both Republicans, have yet to comment on the substance of the ruling and what the state will do going forward.