Just In: Redistricting Moves Franklin, Hart Counties to House District 33

The Georgia House of Representatives Redistricting Committee today approved the Republican Party’s proposed redistricting map for 2022 and it moves Franklin and Hart counties out of District 32 into District 33.

It also moves Stephens county from District 28 to District 32.

The Republican-led Georgia House of Representatives adopted new boundaries for the 180 House districts Wednesday.

After nearly two hours of debate, the House approved a map proposed by GOP leadership 99-79, voting mostly along party lines.

Under their revised redistricting map submitted Monday, District 33 will now include all of Franklin and Hart counties and the top northern part of Madison County.

District 32 will consist of all of Stephens and Banks counties, the top quarter of North Jackson County, and a small section of South Habersham County.

But State Representative Alan Powell says it doesn’t change who represents those districts.

“It’s just a number change,” he said Wednesday. “I still represent all of Franklin and Hart counties and I’ve picked up a part of northern Madison County. I’m quite content. After all this time I’ve been able to hold the two counties together. Franklin County is kept whole and Hart County, so that’s the most important thing.”

The General Assembly redraws Georgia’s legislative and congressional district lines each decade to accommodate changes in population reflected in the U.S. Census.

Rep. Bonnie Rich, chairman of the House Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee told Capitol Beat News Wednesday the map crafted by House Republicans keeps House districts as close to equal in population as possible – the goal being 59,511 residents.–

The map also creates 49 majority Black House districts, an increase of one district over the current House map lawmakers adopted in 2011, as well as 27 “minority-opportunity” districts where minority candidates should be competitive.

Rich said the Republican map splits 69 counties, compared to 73 under the current map.

It also pairs only eight incumbent House members in four districts, she said.

The House map Democrats drew in 2001, the last time they held a majority in the chamber, paired 37 Republican incumbents and nine Democratic incumbents, she said.