State leaders explain what redistricting means for Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — Last week, the 2020 census results were released, and now Georgia state senators will begin redrawing district lines based on that data.

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus hosted an event in Savannah on Thursday to educate residents about congressional redistricting in Georgia and talk about what it means for the city.

It impacts the resources that our communities will see for the next ten years, and it impacts whether our elected officials are going to fairly represent us," said Marijke Kylstra, Redistricting Coordinator for Fair Count, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to analyzing and exposing inequities caused by redistricting.

RELATED: 2020 census shows Bryan County is sixth fastest-growing county in the U.S.

Anything that you can think of that is an electoral or political line is going to be redrawn this cycle," said Kylstra. "From your house districts to your legislative district, to your school board, etc.

Cuffy Sullivan, the Communications Chair of Fair Districts GA, expressed concern about a lack of transparency from the senate when it comes to the map-drawing process.

You can change one little census block and completely change the character and nature of a community,” Sullivan said. “We’re hampered in Georgia, in that there is not a legislative process, there are very loose guidelines and those have been able to be used by whoever’s pulling the strings.

Sullivan said that the Georgia State Legislature will likely hold a special session in the fall to approve the district maps, and they do not expect any sort of public review prior to that vote.