Updated ACCG Toolkit on Redistricting Available

ACCG updated the Local Redistricting Toolkit in December to include more FAQs and a sample redistricting resolution. It is available on the ACCG website here. Maps required to be redrawn for county commission districts must be passed by a local Act of the General Assembly. While there is no deadline prescribed in law, it is recommended that counties complete their maps as soon as possible to give county elections staff adequate time to prepare for qualifying in early March and the primary in May. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), Governor Kemp has communicated to legislators that he wants all local redistricting maps ready for signature prior to qualifying. All maps that are not drawn by the Reapportionment Office (i.e., maps drawn by the county or by a consulting group) must be certified through a technical review by the Reapportionment Office before they can be adopted locally or can be introduced by the General Assembly. This is a brand-new requirement that was passed in 2019. This step is not needed for maps drawn for your county by the Reapportionment Office. The legislative session begins on Monday, January 10, 2022. All local legislation requires that a local ad run prior to its introduction by the General Assembly, which can be posted up to 60 days prior to session, or once session starts, must run one calendar week prior to its introduction. As such, it is important that your county consider all these requirements in determining the timeframe needed to pass this legislation in a timely manner.

 

If your county has any questions about drawing district lines or the new certification process for maps drawn outside of the Reapportionment Office, please contact Brian Knight, Local Redistricting Coordinator at brian.knight@legis.ga.gov. If your county attorney has questions about the local ad or preparations for the local Act, please have him or her contact Stuart Morelli, Deputy Legislative Counsel at 404-656-5000.