The 2021 Georgia State Senate Redistricting Process
Article III of the Georgia State Constitution vests the power of apportionment in the Georgia General Assembly. 1 In 2020, the United States administered its Decennial Census. Georgia received the results from the 2020 census on August 12, 2021. 2 The census revealed that over the last decade, the population of Georgia grew by 1,024,255 people—most of this population growth occurred in the Atlanta suburbs, while some counties in rural Georgia actually declined in population. 3 In response to these changes in population distribution and totals, the Georgia General Assembly was required to reapportion the Georgia State Senate to ensure districts are roughly equal in population. 4 The Joint House and Senate Reapportionment Committee first met on June 15, 2021, and held eleven meetings before separating into separate committees. On August 30, 2021, the Senate Committee on Reapportionment held its first meeting and approved its guidelines for the 2021 redistricting cycle. 5 The guidelin...