Peake: Supreme Court Ruling Gives Green Light for Macon, Bibb Nonpartisan Elections

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — State Representative Allen Peake says the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act paves the way for Macon-Bibb County nonpartisan elections.

“I’m not surprised, a little frustrated by the delay in the process but now it’s time to move on. We now know what the law of the land is, let’s get this thing done, and get elections for the new government,” said Peake.

Peake says he spoke with election law attorney, Anne Lewis, who told him without Section 4, which calls for a formula for determing which areas are covered, threre’s no need for pre-clearance from the Department of Justice.

The DOJ is currently reviewing the change in law which called for July, nonpartisan elections for Macon and Bibb County. 

“Our legal advisor said that the current law…does not need to be pre-cleared by the Department of Justice,” said Peake.

Peake says at this point July elections are out, but he’s expecting November nonpartisan elections to happen.

“That’s the interpretation from our legal advisor, and I hope that would be the interpretation of the county attorney as well,” said Peake.

41NBC reached out to Bibb County Attorney Virgil Adams who said he’s reviewing the ruling and will not be commenting on it Tuesday.