Georgia voters are, for the first time, beginning to see the great damage done by Roy Barnes and his captive legislature with their redistricting foolishness. They have split up this state so practically no voter knows who is supposed to represent them, and why.
Voters in Hall County, depending on where they live, will vote in one of four state legislative districts: District 9, 20, 21 or 67. The same Hall County citizens will vote in one of four State Senate districts: District 45, 47, 49 or 50. Multi-county districts are all over the place.
It gets crazier. People who live in the city limits of Gainesville will vote for State Senator in a gerrymandered district that will, in the general election, offer them a choice between a Democrat and Republican (that's okay). But both of them will be from White County (you know, Cleveland, Georgia). So, any way you cut it, the people of the City of Gainesville will be represented in the State Senate next time by someone from Cleveland, where the Democrats think they have a better chance to win.
Probably a better example, though, comes when you drive out Thompson Bridge Road. In Gainesville, on Thompson Bridge Road, before you get to the lake, you will vote for the candidates in House District 20. That's one. Cross the bridge and you will vote in House District 21, the same race they are voting on in South Hall. That's two. But when Thompson Bridge Road nears Price Road, at Squirrel Creek, still in Hall County, you will vote in House District 9, the same race they will vote on in Lumpkin County. That's three different State Legislative races on Thompson Bridge Road, all in Hall County.
The idea of representative government is to elect a citizen-neighbor to represent a community with common interests. In past redistricting, there was at least an attempt to create legislative districts covering a group of people with similar interests, and who knew each other and their representative. The key part of community is "unity."
The redistricting foisted upon all Georgians by Governor Barnes and his Democrat legislators has destroyed our local sense of community, and our unity. As I understand it, that's what they wanted to do.
This is Gordon Sawyer, and may the wind always be at your back.
Monday
August 4th, 2025
6:04AM
