COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is set to vote Tuesday evening on whether to acknowledge a recent court ruling that mandates changes to the county’s current commissioner district map. The vote is expected to be the final item on the agenda and could result in District 2 Commissioner Jerica Richardson vacating her seat.
The proposed vote follows a decision last month by Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill, who ruled that the district map approved by the county in 2022 was unconstitutional. Chairwoman Lisa Cupid has expressed that this is an unprecedented situation for the county.
“This is our first time ever experiencing an event where redistricting would impact someone serving,” Cupid said.
If the board adopts the new map, Commissioner Richardson would no longer reside within District 2, thereby making her ineligible to continue representing the district. The board is prepared to issue a notice deeming the office vacant, giving Richardson 10 days before moving forward with filling the vacancy.
“This is a drastic remedy, but it’s also a drastic move to change the county maps,” Judge Hill commented during the ruling.
Chairwoman Cupid also addressed the ruling in a letter, emphasizing the need for unity as the board navigates this challenging situation.
“I hope that after hearing where everyone stands, we are still able to move forward as a county,” Cupid said.
The outcome of tonight’s vote could have significant implications for the county’s governance, particularly as the board looks to realign its districts in compliance with the court’s ruling.