Gaines-, Wiedower-sponsored redistricting map passes Georgia House, headed to Senate

The bill to redraw the Athens commission districts passed the first vote in Georgia legislature days after it was recommitted.

On Day 8 of the Georgia legislative session, House Bill 890 was passed by the State House and will be sent to the State Senate. This bill is Athens’ delegation’s proposed district outlines for the Athens local commission.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines and Rep. Marcus Wiedower, was withdrawn and recommitted, a move that had sent it back to committee, on Jan. 24.

Despite this, the bill was passed by the House on Thursday.

Athens’ only non-Republican representative, Rep. Spencer Frye, introduced a “compromise map” that has been favored by the Athens-Clarke County commission and Board of Elections.

The map that is on the way to the State Senate does not have the support of many local elected officials. Frye’s map has not been introduced as a bill in the Georgia legislature.

ACC Elections Assistant Lisa McGlaun said that the Elections Office is hoping to receive finalized maps by Feb. 1 so that they can start their duties with enough time ahead of May’s election.

More: Athens-Clarke elections board backs commission district map proposed by state Rep. Spencer Frye

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Proposed map for Athens-Clarke redistricting passes Georgia State House