Rep. Roger Lane, of Darien, Ga., introduces the proposed map of the Georgia House Districts to the Georgia House of Representatives at the State Capitol Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 in Atlanta. The Georgia House has approved new political boundaries for its 180 members. Representatives voted 108-64 on Thursday to approve the Republican-authored map after three hours of debate. The plan will pit 20 House incumbents against fellow incumbents from the same party. Four of the pairings are Republican districts in south Georgia. Six are Democratic matchups in metro Atlanta. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Jason Getz)ATLANTA – The Georgia House and Senate approved new political boundaries for their 236 members, beating back fiery opposition from Democrats who have vowed to challenge the new maps in court.
Each chamber approved its own map on Thursday along mainly partisan lines.
The House voted 108-64 in favor of its map, and the Senate approved its map by a vote of 35-18. It is the first time in Georgia that Republicans have controlled the redistricting process from start to finish.
The plans pit 20 House members against fellow incumbents from the same party and place two Democratic senators in one district. Four of the House pairings are in Republican districts in south Georgia. Six pairings set up House Democratic matchups in metro Atlanta.
Democrats have objected to the redrawn lines, saying the GOP is trying to purge the state of white Democrats by forcing them into primary matchups, in many cases against black lawmakers.