Federal Judge Steve Jones has accepted the new Georgia congressional and legislative districts, despite claims that they don't do enough to help Black voters. Jones rejected these claims, stating that he can't interfere with legislative choices, even if Republicans moved to protect their power. The maps were redrawn in a recent special legislative session after Jones ruled that the prior set of maps illegally harmed Black voters. The new districts add Black-majority districts as ordered by Jones, but they also favor Republicans in some Democratic-held districts without Black majorities, much to the dismay of Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath.

McBath has vowed to seek reelection in a new district if the current congressional map is not overturned on appeal. This would be the second election in a row that she has had to run in a new district. The judge's approval of the redrawn maps sets the stage for their use in the 2024 elections, likely reproducing the current Republican majority in Georgia's congressional seats and state legislature. While plaintiffs and allied Democrats have denounced the ruling, none have immediately said they would appeal. However, the new maps have come under scrutiny from challengers who do not believe they provide a complete fix for the injuries to Black voters.

Although Republicans have stated that the ruling proves they could comply with the order to draw more majority-Black districts while preserving their power, critics argue that the redistricting actions don't appropriately address the issues at hand. There is significant contention around the redrawing of the maps, particularly related to Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath's current district and whether it was legal for lawmakers to dissolve it in favor of a new Black-majority district. Despite the controversy, Judge Jones has approved the new maps, setting the stage for their use in the upcoming elections.