Judge allows new Georgia political maps to be used this year

A federal judge has ruled Georgia’s new congressional and state legislative maps can be used for this year’s election cycle, saying there is not enough time to make changes before the primary.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones’ ruling came late Monday after a hearing last month that lasted six days in three lawsuits challenging the newly drawn districts that were crafted by state lawmakers and signed into law last year by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. The lawsuits, filed by African American organizations and individual voters, allege the maps weaken the growing electoral strength of communities of color in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act.

The plaintiffs had filed motions for preliminary injunction seeking, among other things, to keep the state from using the new maps during any elections, including this year’s midterms.