Georgia Sues for Approval of Redistricting

Georgia has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking federal approval of the newly drawn .

Under the federal Voting Rights Act, Georgia must receive approval from the Justice Department or the D.C.-based federal court before any changes in election law are put into effect.

This is the first redistricting process since Republicans took control of the state government. However, this is not the first time the state has chosen to go first to court, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Ten years ago, Democrats tried the same tactic to get around a Republican Justice Department. The courts tossed out much of the Democrat's plan.

If the maps are approved, 's (R-Marietta) 11th District . Gingrey would continue to Paulding, Floyd, Polk and other Northwest Georgia counties while gaining Cherokee County.

What do you think of this approach? Is a pre-emptive lawsuit a good idea or should these maps pass Voting Rights Act muster?