Two different proposals for redrawing Georgia's 13 U.S. Congressional districts began making the rounds of the state Capitol this week, and both suggest major changes to Fayette County.

Both eliminate the assortment of odd shapes and tendrils that were created in 2002 by Democratic state leaders, who admitted to employing gerrymandering tactics in order to preserve a majority in the state delegation.

But last fall, Republicans gained a 7-6 majority in Washington, at the same time both the state House and Senate also went to the GOP. Early this week, the GOP-controlled legislature determined it would pursue redistricting after all, in time for the 2006 election cycle.

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland's 8th District is among those that would see significant change in either proposal, with pieces of the 11th and 13th that intertwine with it now removed.

In one version, Westmoreland would represent all of Fayette County in a new 8th; in aother, David Scott's 13th district is expanded from just two precincts in northern Fayette to five, with the 8th taking up the rest of the county.

Coweta County, already covered entirely by the 8th, would be left alone in either proposal.

The redistricting is far from a done deal. House members must first present a valid "cause" for redrawing the lines, before a federal court will even consider hearing it. Then, a panel of judges would have to rule the present maps invalid, and both the House and Senate would have to come to terms on new lines for all 13 districts.

Westmoreland, who as state House Minority Leader last year orchestrated the redrawing of state legislative districts, said he's leaving this task to the folks back home.

"This a job for the state Legislature and our leaders in the General Assembly are serving the people well by taking up this issue and putting Georgia