May 14 (UPI) -- Gov. Brian Kemp has called for a special session of Georgia's General Assembly to consider a redraw of its congressional districts, becoming the latest state to revisit its map amid a gerrymandering arms race.
The Republican governor convened the General Assembly for a special session on June 17 via a Wednesday proclamation, attracting praise from Republicans and condemnation from Democrats.
"Typical Republican behavior. When they can't win with voters, they rewrite the rules to benefit themselves," the Georgia Democratic Party said in a social media statement.
"In the end, voters will have the last say here and they won't put up with this B.S."
The proclamation was issued amid mounting pressure on Kemp following last month's Supreme Court ruling that threw out Louisiana's map and weakened the Voting Rights Act protections for district lines drawn to preserve minority voting power. Civil and voting rights advocates worry the ruling will lead to redrawn maps that will dilute the political power of Black, Hispanic and other people of color.
