Kemp calls special legislative session to redraw Georgia's electoral maps

Local News Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp calls special legislative session to redraw electoral maps after Supreme Court ruling By Christopher Harris Christopher Harris Digital Producer, CBS News Atlanta Christopher Harris is a digital content producer for CBS Atlanta and the South region. Read Full Bio Christopher Harris Updated on: May 13, 2026 / 2:48 PM EDT / CBS Atlanta Add CBS News on Google Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday signed a proclamation convening the Georgia General Assembly for a special session on June 17 to address redistricting in the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected to require changes to Georgia's electoral maps before the 2028 election cycle.The special session comes six weeks after the Supreme Court issued its 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, 2026, finding that Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district relied too heavily on race in its construction and was therefore an unconstitutional gerrymander.The regular session of the 2026 General Assembly had adjourned on April 3, making a special session necessary to take up the redistricting work.According to the proclamation, lawmakers will be limited to two specific purposes during the special session. The first is to consider enacting, revising, repealing or amending state law for the division of Georgia into appropriate districts for the State Senate, State House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives, or any other state office elected by district, with any changes set to take effect for the 2028 election cycle.The second purpose is to address issues created by a July 1 effective date for changes to the state election code enacted under a 2024 Georgia law.Kemp had signaled that the special session was coming but mentioned that early voting was already underway for the 2026 elections, and that any changes to the maps wouldn't happen in the next few weeks or months.Following the Supreme Court ruling in May, the governor said the decision made clear th...