Federal Court Rejects Alabama’s Congressional Map, Orders Redrawing of Districts to Increase African American Voting Influence

Federal judges have announced that they will be responsible for creating new congressional lines for Alabama, as lawmakers have refused to establish a second district where Black voters make up a significant majority. The three-judge panel has blocked the use of the state’s newly drawn congressional map in the upcoming elections, citing a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voters. A special master will be appointed to draw new districts for the state, and Alabama is expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The judges explained in their opinion that they have no reason to believe that allowing the Legislature to draw another map will result in the inclusion of an additional opportunity district. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, hailed the court ruling as a significant step towards equal representation for Black Alabamians.

Earlier this summer, the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature hastily drew new lines after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the panel’s finding that the previous map, which only had one majority-Black district despite the state’s Black population being 27%, likely violated the Voting Rights Act.

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits any voting procedure that abridges or denies the right to vote based on race. The judges had previously stated that Alabama should have two districts where Black voters have the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. Due to racially polarized voting in the state, the new map would need to include a second district where Black voters are the majority or at least come close to being the majority.

In July, Alabama lawmakers passed a new map that maintained a single majority-Black district and increased the percentage of Black voters in another district. However, the judges expressed their deep concern that the state ignored their finding that an additional majority-Black district or an additional district giving Black voters the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice should be created.

The judges emphasized that the law requires the creation of an additional district that provides a fair and reasonable opportunity for Black Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice. During a hearing, the judges questioned the state’s solicitor general about the state’s refusal to create a second majority-Black district. The state argued that the map complied with the Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court decision, claiming that the creation of a second majority-Black district would violate traditional redistricting principles.

Regardless, the judges found the state’s argument insufficient, stating that District 2 is as close as they could get to a second majority-Black district without violating the Supreme Court’s decision. Attorney Abha Khanna, representing one group of plaintiffs, accused Alabama of choosing defiance over compliance and urged the judges to reject the state’s map.

In conclusion, the federal judges have taken on the responsibility of redrawing congressional lines for Alabama after lawmakers failed to create a second district that adequately represents Black voters. The decision to block the use of the state’s current map in the upcoming elections highlights the court’s commitment to upholding the Voting Rights Act and ensuring fair representation for all citizens. Alabama is expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, prolonging the legal battle over redistricting in the state.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-09-05 23:46:00