What was a major consequence of the decline of the County Unit System?

The decline of the County Unit System in Georgia led to a significant shift towards popular vote gubernatorial elections. The County Unit System was a method of voting that had favored rural counties disproportionately over urban areas, allowing a small number of rural counties to hold greater influence in elections. When this system was declared unconstitutional in the early 1960s due to its violation of the principle of "one person, one vote," a transition occurred toward a more democratic process where all votes counted equally regardless of the geographic location of the voter.

As a consequence, this shift not only encouraged broader participation among the electorate but also gave urban populations, which had been underrepresented, a stronger voice in selecting state leaders, starting with gubernatorial elections. This transition was crucial in the evolution of Georgia's political landscape, as it laid the groundwork for more equitable and representative governance.

The other options, while potentially relevant in a broader political context, do not accurately capture the primary direct consequence of the decline of the County Unit System in Georgia politics.