Robinson said today in a press conference at the Douglas County Courthouse that he was preparing a lawsuit to request the U.S. Department of Justice deny approval of the map.
Robinson said he was basing the suit on a variety of alleged county election violations, ranging from illegally concentrating members of a certain race or membership group to qualifying candidates without federal "pre-clearance" from the federal government.
"The July 31 election should not be held," he said. "We have a map that was not pre-cleared."
Robinson, in an earlier press release, said the commission illegally did not report the existence of a dissenting vote when it reported the adoption of the map to the General Assembly.
“It is the last claim involving the suppression of vote that is central to the lawsuit. In short, in Douglas County, the practice is that if you are in the minority on an issue, your vote does not matter, it will not be counted. This is a clear violation of 'due process.'
"When Douglas County through the 'sin of omission' allowed the withholding of relevant facts that there was opposition at the lower level to give the appearance of a unanimous vote, then the rights of not only a sole commissioner was violated but 29,000 other voters in District 2.
"This fight and request for denial of the proposed redistricting map per activities that are not in compliance with Federal and/or State law are egregious. In Douglas County, those who are in the minority on any subject which is not rubber stamping the 'majority' are not included. If one is in the minority on the subjects of alcohol, millage rates, the T-SPLOST or any other issue relevant to one’s quality of life, the current rule is to abridge, to suppress, to dismiss, to ignore your individual vote or collective voice. This alone is a clear violation of the Voting Rights Act – equal protection, one vote."
Calls to County Attorney Ken Bernard
for comment on the charges were not returned by this afternoon.
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