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3w ago

Federal Court Rules Alabama Intentionally Discriminated in Congressional Redistricting

Judges block state-drawn map, mandate court-ordered plan, and weigh federal oversight for future maps under the Voting Rights Act.

In this July 2023 photo, an Alabama Senate committee discusses a proposal to draw new congressional district lines in Montgomery, Alabama.
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Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., walks down the House steps after a vote in the Capitol last week.
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Overview

  • A federal panel concluded Alabama's 2023 congressional map intentionally diluted Black voting power, violating the Voting Rights Act.
  • The court permanently barred the use of the state-drawn map and ordered continued use of a court-drawn plan that enabled the election of two Black representatives in 2024.
  • Judges criticized Alabama's legislature for deliberately defying court orders to create a second majority-Black district, despite Black residents comprising 27% of the population.
  • The ruling opens the possibility of subjecting Alabama to Section 3 preclearance, requiring federal approval for future redistricting plans.
  • This decision highlights Alabama's history of voter discrimination and could set a precedent for protecting minority voting rights in other states.