Residents were urged Tuesday to weigh in on plans to redraw Georgia's legislative and congressional districts, with the U.S. Justice Department expected to decide as soon as Dec. 23 whether to approve or deny them or request more information.
The state's Republican-dominated Legislature approved the plans in August, despite Democrats' criticism that they endanger minority voters' power.
Gov. Nathan Deal, also a Republican, is among state leaders who have said the new maps are fair. But groups including the League of Women Voters of Georgia have questioned why legal oversight for the maps was given by Anne Lewis, an Atlanta attorney who is also the general counsel to the state GOP.
The league is a member of the Georgia Redistricting Alliance, which issued the plea Tuesday for more public comment.
State officials have submitted the maps to the Justice Department for approval, but they also have filed suit in federal court to force their passage. The Voting Rights Act requires Georgia and eight other states to get approval from the Justice Department, or federal courts, for all changes to voting and election laws. Those states are singled out because each has a history of discrimination that hindered voting by minorities.
To comment, call the department at 800-253-3931.
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