The Telegraph reports: Gov. Nathan Deal has signed a trio of bills that make key Macon-Bibb County consolidated government offices nonpartisan.  Now the bills head to Washington for federal approval, where state Sen. David Lucas, D-Macon, promises a fight.

The
political parties would be removed from the ballots for Macon-Bibb
County mayor, county commission, board of education and the Macon-Bibb
Water and Sewerage Authority under Senate Bills 25, 30 and 31. And like
nonpartisan elections in general, the votes would be held in July, not
November.

A bill to make judges and the coroner nonpartisan
offices, Senate Bill 26, is awaiting final House approval before going
to the governor due to technical edits in the Senate.  “This day
will go down in infamy,” said Lucas from the Senate floor, hours before
Deal’s signing. “Because this is about race, ladies and gentlemen.”

DOJ may accept this complaint at face value, but the assertion may find some skepticism if this voting change is brought to the courts.