According to the Washington Examiner, Democrats filed a lawsuit earlier this year that challenged the validity of electoral maps drawn up by Georgia Republicans.

Yet in a major win for the GOP, a federal judge issued a ruling this week in which he smacked down their objections. 

Map gives GOP an advantage in nine out of 14 House districts

The Examiner noted that U.S. District Judge Steve Jones decided on Thursday that the maps can be implemented, a fact which will likely secure victory for Republicans in nine out of 14 House districts.

The maps for Georgia's state House and Senate favor Republicans as well, and seem poised to guarantee a legislative majority.

Judge upholds redrawn Georgia congressional map in win for Republicans https://t.co/pZ0MSMNXPO https://t.co/pZ0MSMNXPO

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 29, 2023

The recently submitted maps were drawn up after Jones moved in October to throw out a set of previous maps, arguing that they did not comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Specifically, Jones ordered that state lawmakers turn in a map which included a second majority African American congressional district in the west Metro Atlanta area.

Boundaries of district held by Democratic congresswoman now favors GOP

While the new map complies with this condition, it also radically shifts the boundaries of Georgia Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath's district in a way that will aid Republicans.

Further Democrats alleged that the newly configured electoral boundaries had been created with an explicit intent to "dilute" the voice of African American voters.

However, Jones rejected that contention and agreed that the Republican-controlled legislature had adhered to the requirements he laid out earlier.

Thursday's ruling may give a jolt of confidence to House Republicans, who were handed a very slim majority in the 2022 midterm elections.

Narrow GOP House majority shrinks after expulsion of George Santos

That majority got even slimmer earlier this month after 105 Republicans joined with 206 Democrats in a vote to expel scandal-plagued former New York Republican Rep. George Santos.

Fox News reported that Santos is facing a federal indictment which contains 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, falsification of records, credit card fraud and other charges.

However, many Republicans objected to the move, including California Rep. Darrell Issa, who pointed out that Santos "hasn't been tried either civilly or criminally." Issa also pointed out that Democrats haven't pushed to remove New Jersey Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez, who is facing multiple federal charges of his own.