Win for Republicans as US judge upholds Georgia congressional map

Critics call decision by Steve Jones a disgrace' and say recently redrawn maps dilute voting power of minority residents

A federal judge in Georgia on Thursday upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map, a ruling branded a disgrace" by voting rights advocates who claim that the latest district lines illegally dilute the voting power of minority residents.

The decision from Steve Jones set the stage for next year's elections, with Republicans now likely to maintain their 9-5 advantage among the swing state's 14 seats in the US House of Representatives.