Forsyth County could gain more local representation at the state Capitol under proposed redistricting maps released Friday.

The maps show the county adding two seats in the House, for a total of five representatives, and maintaining its two Senate posts.

A couple of the proposed legislative districts, including those of Rep. Mark Hamilton and Sen. Jack Murphy, would include only Forsyth County.

The House and Senate will meet this week to discuss the maps.

Once state lawmakers have approved the final versions, the maps must still pass through Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Hamilton, a Republican from Cumming, said it’s important to remember nothing is set in stone.

“This is merely the starting point,” he said. “We still have the entire legislative process.”

As is the case every decade, the districts are being redrawn to match changes in population as determined by the 2010 U.S. Census.

Forsyth has grown about 78 percent between 2000-10, with a current population of about 175,500. That’s up from about 98,400 in 2000.

To comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Georgia Legislature’s proposed House and Senate maps feature districts based on population.

On the House map, each district has between 53,287 and 54,352 people. The Senate map has populations that must range between 171,350 and 174,530.

Check back for updates at forsythnews.com, or see the next edition of the Forsyth County News for complete coverage.