Evans Examiner: The Special Session Days 1-3
Today, we celebrate Juneteenth—a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and reminds us that the promise of freedom has always required vigilance, participation, and a commitment to justice.
As we reflect on our nation's progress and the work that remains, I wanted to share an important update from the Georgia General Assembly's Special Legislative Session.
Redistricting Dead for the Special Session
We're now halfway through the Governor's Special Legislative Session, and I wanted to share an important update.
When this session was called, many Georgians were concerned that lawmakers would move forward with redrawing voting maps ahead of the 2028 election cycle. After days of speculation and discussion, House Republicans have decided not to take up redistricting during this special session.
That is welcome news.
For now, the effort to redraw our voting maps has been delayed, and that delay matters. It means communities will continue to have the representation they voted for, and it means lawmakers can focus on the issues that Georgians are facing every day.
But let's be clear: this is not the end of the conversation.
The decision not to pursue redistricting this week does not guarantee that these efforts won't return in the future. That's why we must remain vigilant, engaged, and prepared to stand up for fair representation whenever it is threatened. A colleague of mine put it best— "they didn't see the light, they felt the heat."
QR Code Update
As you may recall, the one issue we do need to deal with during special session is the issue of how to handle the deadline by which county election boards can no longer rely on QR codes for official ballot counting. Whatever solution is proposed is beginning in a bill in the Senate. Stay tuned as the bill moves over to the House, which is expected early next week.
Potential Veto Overrides
While redistricting may be off the table for now, the legislature still has important work ahead. I am also urging my colleagues to reconsider several of the Governor's vetoes that deserve another look.
Earlier this week, I made a motion to override the Governor's veto of House Bill 1192—a bill that ensures that State and Federal money appropriated to the Department of Human Services and the Department of Community affairs stays where it's supposed to. This legislation addresses issues I believe are important for Georgia families and communities, and I believe it merits full consideration by the General Assembly. This is just one example, however. The Legislature should also consider overrides of several of the Governor’s budget line-item vetoes, including the cut of $100M in a cost-of-living adjustment that the Legislature appropriated. The House is expected to take up that matter on Monday when we return after the weekend.
I recently spoke on the House floor about why the General Assembly should carefully review the Governor's vetoes and exercise its constitutional responsibility when necessary.
If you'd like to hear my remarks directly, you can watch my speech below.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and share it with friends and neighbors who care about accountable government and strong public policy.
As the session continues, I will keep fighting for transparent government, fair elections, and policies that put people first. I'll continue to keep you updated on developments from under the Gold Dome.
Thank you for staying informed and engaged.
With gratitude,
Stacey