Committee keeps SB 407 in committee after vote on racial packing concerns

The Senate committee voted to keep Senate Bill 407 in committee after members debated whether the map diluted Black voting strength.

A motion by Senator Jenkins to move SB 407 with amendments failed in roll call, with the clerk announcing a 4 no, 3 yes result and stating, "No's have it; Senate bill 407 will stay in committee." The vote followed extensive questioning about whether the map created opportunity districts or instead packed minority voters into single districts.

Madam pro tem Barrow, who testified during the hearing, said maps should let voters "have a candidate of their choice" and described personal experience with race and party influencing voter decisions: "I've had people to share with me that they were not voting for me because, a, I was African American, and b, because I was a Democrat." Senator Jenkins and other members pressed proponents and opponents on voting-age population figures for specific districts, citing numbers such as District 2 (about 44% white and 41% Black VAP) and District 6 (about 48% white and 42% Black VAP) while debating whether those figures provided meaningful opportunity.

Supporters of SB 407 said the amended version improved on an earlier proposal and could present competitive "opportunity" districts. Opponents argued the map still concentrated minority voters in ways that would limit their influence in other districts. The committee’s action means SB 407 will not move to the full Senate at this time.