GA SB479

County governing authorities in Georgia would be authorized to reapportion their own election districts, with changes taking effect at the next regular general county election following adoption of the reapportionment ordinance

Reapportionment requires adoption of a formal ordinance following two public hearings held no less than 7 and no more than 60 days apart, with notice published in the county's official organ once a week for three weeks within 60 days preceding final adoption

Reapportioned districts must consist of contiguous territory with well-defined boundaries, comply with one-person-one-vote requirements, and be limited to boundary line adjustments only to the extent reasonably necessary to meet constitutional and federal law standards

County governing authorities are prohibited from using this reapportionment power to change the number of members on the governing authority or the manner in which members are elected

The Georgia General Assembly retains the power to enact local laws reapportioning county election districts; if the General Assembly acts after a decennial census but before the first subsequent regular county election, its action nullifies the county's reapportionment authority