The Supreme Court has declined to weigh in on whether Georgia’s system for electing utility regulators is discriminatory.
In a short order issued Monday, the justices rejected a petition from Richard Rose and three other Black voters in Georgia who challenged the at-large voting system to elect members to the state’s Public Service Commission for allegedly violating the federal Voting Rights Act.
The outcome of PSC elections have implications for utility rates and Georgia’s transition away from fossil fuels. To date, only one Black person has been elected to the five-member commission.
“We’re very disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case, and we’re still considering our next steps,” said Bryan Sells, a private attorney representing the Black voters who filed the petition.
