Georgia Senate Republicans propose map with two new Black-majority districts

Georgia Senate Republicans are proposing a new map that would create two Black-majority voting districts but would probably retain Republicans’ 33-23 edge in the General Assembly’s upper chamber in an effort to fix a map a judge said illegally dilutes Black votes.

The proposed districts, released Monday, would increase the number of Black-majority districts by eliminating two white-majority districts currently represented by Democrats. State Sens. Jason Esteves and Elena Parent, both of Atlanta, would live in Black-majority districts if the redrawn map goes through.

A special session on redrawing state legislative and congressional districts begins Wednesday after U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ordered Georgia to draw Black majorities in one additional congressional district, two additional state Senate districts, and five additional state House districts in October.