Alabama Court Rules Against Congressional Map Violation of Voting Rights Act
In a significant ruling, a three-judge panel from Alabama’s Northern District has unanimously declared that the state’s 2023 congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act, marking the second such determination. The court has mandated that Alabama must use a map created by a court-appointed special master until redistricting occurs again in 2030.
This ruling follows an appeal initiated by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and several legislators who sought U.S. Supreme Court intervention after the initial ruling in May. The judges previously concluded that the new map, which maintained only one majority-Black district, unlawfully diluted the voting power of Black Alabamians.
The judges emphasized that the Alabama legislature’s choices in redistricting showcased a deliberate intent to discriminate, undermining the state’s claims of having overcome its discriminatory past. The panel, consisting of judges appointed by Presidents Trump and Reagan, asserted that the congressional map must feature two districts where Black voters can elect representatives of their choice.
This ruling allows Alabama to retain two Black representatives in Congress—U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures—during the upcoming 2024 elections, marking a historical milestone for the state. The case originated in November 2021, spearheaded by advocates including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Alabama NAACP, highlighting decades of struggle for political equality among Black residents.
Dr. Baodong Liu, a political science professor, noted high levels of racial polarization in Alabama’s voting patterns, suggesting a persistent divide that necessitated the court’s intervention. The ACLU of Alabama commented that the ruling symbolizes the relentless pursuit of political equality by generations of Black Alabamians.
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