Marietta City Council approved Dec. 12 a map reapportioning the city’s seven wards to comply with the Voting Rights Act to create a majority minority ward after population changes in Marietta.

Council approved the map after two public hearings to receive input.

The city will send the map to the Georgia state legislature for approval. The map will then go to the United States Department of Justice for final approval.

The map would take effect in time for the 2013 City Council elections.