What was the purpose of the County Unit System?

The County Unit System was designed to ensure that rural counties maintained a significant level of political control within Georgia's electoral process. This system allocated a certain number of voting units to each county, which disproportionately favored less populated, rural areas over more populous urban centers. The intention behind this was to ensure that the interests of rural constituents were adequately represented in state government, even if the majority of the state's population lived in urban areas.

The implications of this system meant that candidates had to focus more on rural voters, as rural counties could effectively wield more power during elections despite having fewer voters. The County Unit System was a reflection of the historical context in which it was developed, where political power was often concentrated in rural, agricultural regions, and it sought to maintain that status quo in the face of growing urbanization. This approach ultimately shaped the political landscape of Georgia, leading to significant debates and changes in how representation was viewed and structured in the state over time.