HR 13: Racial minorities in legislative reapportionment and redistricting; protect - CA

Georgia's constitution currently requires the General Assembly to redraw Senate and House districts after each U.S. Census, but it does not include an explicit protection for racial minorities in how those lines are drawn. This resolution proposes adding such a protection directly to the state constitution. The amendment would apply not just to state legislative districts but also to congressional districts and any other districts used to elect state officers. It would prohibit drawing those maps with either the intent or the effect of denying or reducing racial minorities' equal opportunity to take part in the political process or to elect representatives of their choosing. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by Georgia voters in a statewide referendum before it takes effect, using a yes or no ballot question specified in the resolution.

• Adds new constitutional language barring state legislative district maps from being drawn to deny or abridge racial minorities' equal opportunity to participate in elections.
• Extends the same protection to congressional districts and any other districts used to elect state officers, not just General Assembly seats.
• Prohibits maps drawn with either the intent or the effect of diminishing racial minorities' ability to elect their preferred representatives.
• Sends the proposed constitutional change to Georgia voters for ratification or rejection via a statewide ballot question.

Georgia voters generally, especially racial minority communities whose voting power could be affected by redistricting; the General Assembly, which draws legislative and congressional maps; and candidates for state and congressional office whose districts are shaped by these maps.

If ratified, this would put an explicit anti-discrimination standard for redistricting into Georgia's constitution itself, giving racial minority voters a state constitutional basis, separate from federal law, to challenge maps that reduce their voting influence or ability to elect chosen candidates.

• Section 1 amends Article III, Section II, Paragraph II of the Georgia Constitution to add language protecting racial minorities in redistricting.
• The new language applies to Senate and House districts, congressional districts, and any other districts for electing state officers.
• The protection covers both discriminatory intent and discriminatory effect in how district lines are drawn.
• Section 2 requires the amendment to be submitted to voters for ratification, specifying the exact ballot question wording.
• The amendment becomes part of the Georgia Constitution only if approved by voters in the referendum.

1. 2026-06-20House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2026-06-18House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2026-06-17House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)Patrocinador principal
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Saira Draper (D, HD-090)
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

• redistricting
• voting rights
• constitutional amendment
• legislative reapportionment
• racial minorities