Urban League of Greater Atlanta Town Hall

ATLANTA - May 16, 2021 - PRLog -- The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will convene a (virtual) Redistricting Town Hall on May 20th for the Atlanta Metropolitan Region to discuss the national census, redistricting and gerrymandering. In 2021, the Georgia State Legislature is scheduled to begin the redistricting process for 180 House seats and 56 Senate seats. Additionally, Georgia will not be allocated additional congressional seats by the U.S. Census during the coming decade for the first time since the 1980s.The first 2020 Census numbers released on April 26th by the U.S. Census Bureau show Georgia will retain 14 U.S. House districts which was awarded following the 2010 Census. Moderated by Nancy Flake-Johnson, President & CEO, the program will begin promptly at 6pm.

As a result the abridged 2021 Census Count that took place during the Covid pandemic, Georgia will not be allocated additional congressional seats for the first time nearly 40 years, and political power could likely shift in certain counties when the Georgia Legislature begins redistricting and gerrymandering this year.

The Urban League is hosting a series of one-hour Town Hall meetings starting promptly at 6 p.m. The cities include Atlanta (May 20th), Savannah (June 10th), Augusta (July 14th), Columbus (August 12th) and Macon (Sept. 9th) to discuss the impact a political power shift could have on our everyday lives and how each citizen can get engaged to influence these processes.

Nancy Flake Johnson, president, and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta will moderate the event that will explore the long-term consequences of the Census count on the power of the vote in the region. Panelists include Fred McBride of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and Theron Johnson, State Director for All on the Line.

The Georgia Legislature is scheduled to begin the state redistricting process soon that covers 180 House seats and 56 Senate seats. The Legislature can choose to redraw the districts and engage in "gerrymandering" to favor one political party over the other. The first 2020 numbers released on April 26 by the U.S. Census Bureau did not rise high enough for Georgia to win more seats in the US Congress; therefore, we retain the 14 U.S. House districts that were allotted following the 2010 Census.

If you have questions about the series of town hall meetings, contact John Moye, ULGA Director of Policy, Legislative Affairs and Civic Engagement, at j (mailto:jmoye@ulgatl.org) or 404-809-5476.