A federal judge ruled that Georgia may keep in place the current redistricting maps for upcoming elections. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones rejected claims from civil rights groups that the maps inhibit Black voters.

The Hill reports:

The decision is expected to allow Republicans to pick up a north Atlanta metro seat currently held by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) who is now running against ​​Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-Ga.) in a neighboring district.

The Republican-led legislature redrew the boundaries to include more of conservative-leaning rural Georgia, likely allowing the GOP to solidify control over a state where they already hold eight out of 14 congressional seats.

“The court finds that the public interest of the state of Georgia would be significantly undermined by altering the election calendar and unwinding the electoral process at this point,” Jones ruled.

“Elections are complex and election calendars are finely calibrated processes, and significant upheaval and voter confusion can result if changes are made late in the process.”

The decision closely followed a similar ruling in Alabama after civil rights groups argued distracting maps unfairly hurt Black voters. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh said while supporting the Court’s ruling, “late judicial tinkering with election laws can lead to disruption and to unanticipated and unfair consequences for candidates, political parties, and voters, among others.”