Ga. lawmakers launch redistricting hearings

ATHENS - State legislators are launching a series of hearings around the state on redistricting.

The first of the 12 hearings by the State House and Senate Joint Redistricting Committee is set to take place Monday night at the University of Georgia in Athens.

It's designed to give citizens a chance to have their voices heard before lawmakers take up reapportionment, in which they will redraw congressional and legislative district lines to conform to new U.S. Census data.

Georgia is set to gain a seat in Congress.

Gov. Nathan Deal has said he will summon state lawmakers back to the Capitol on Aug. 15 for a special session to tackle redistricting.

The only other reapportionment hearing in northeast Georgia will be June 21 in Gainesville.