Win for Republicans as US judge upholds Georgia congressional map

Steve Jones rejects arguments from voting rights groups and Democrats that lines illegally dilute power of minority residents

A federal judge in Georgia on Thursday upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map, rejecting arguments from voting rights groups and Democrats that the latest district lines illegally diluted the voting power of minority residents near Atlanta.

The decision from US district judge Steve Jones likely ensures that Republicans will maintain their 9-5 advantage among the state’s 14 seats in the US House of Representatives.