- Jun 23
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2026
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Special Session Recap: Democrats Defeat Rigged Maps, Protect Pocketbooks, and Block Total Election Chaos
Atlanta, Ga. — Today, the Georgia General Assembly concluded its Special Session after Georgia Senate Democrats racked up win after win. The Republican majority entered this Special Session hoping to get three items accomplished: rigged maps, sales tax hikes, and hand-marked paper ballots. They walked out empty-handed.
“Republicans called this Special Session to protect their own political skin and appease the fringes of their base,” said Minority Leader Jones II. “Instead, Georgia Democrats stood strong and checked their worst impulses. We stopped rigged, racist maps, protected working families from sales tax hikes, and successfully blocked a Republican surrender of our election systems to conspiracy theorists.”
Senate Democrats beat back all three legs of the Republican agenda during Special Session:
Rigged, Racist Maps: Through grassroots pressure, Democrats forced Republicans in both chambers to hold off on redistricting over fears of voter backlash. Unfortunately for Republicans, our base is already fired up and ready to beat them up and down the ballot this November. While the fight for fair representation continues, defeating these maps was a monumental civil rights victory.
Sales Tax Hikes: Democrats successfully blocked multiple tax-swap proposals to implement LHOST. Democrats kept money in the pockets of everyday Georgians and prevented a severe hike at the cash register that would have forced working-class families to subsidize tax breaks for wealthy McMansion owners.
Limiting “Dolezal Damage”: Despite a push by conspiracy theorists to upend Georgia’s voting infrastructure with hand-marked paper ballots, Democrats limited the damage of Senate Bill 3EX. Democrats forced Republicans to extend the QR code deadlines, preventing total chaos at the ballot box this November.
“Georgians know that Republican leadership has failed them, and they’re ready to make a change this November,” said Minority Leader Jones II. “While Democrats were united in protecting Georgians, Republican lawmakers proved their party has become entirely dysfunctional. We all saw their empty ‘unity’ rodeo last week that no one showed up to. And their nominee for Governor, billionaire Rick Jackson, has been completely silent throughout this legislative disaster, hiding in his 46,000 square foot palace while his party falls apart. The Republican performance during this special session was an absolute circus, which is the only fitting way to end decades of a disastrous Republican trifecta.”
Senate Minority Leader Jones II is available for comment
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