Alabama appeals to Supreme Court to avoid special master in redistricting dispute.
Alabama Officials Appeal to Supreme Court Over Congressional Map Ruling
Alabama officials are taking their case to the Supreme Court after a three-judge panel declined to pause a ruling that invalidated Republicans’ latest congressional map in the state. The ruling was based on alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had affirmed a federal court ruling that required Republicans to redraw congressional districts, making at least two of Alabama’s seven districts majority black districts. These districts tend to vote overwhelmingly Democratic. However, the redrawing of the map, which resulted in one black-majority district and another plurality-black district, has been accused of violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Alabama Officials Continue Legal Battle
Alabama officials are once again seeking relief from the Supreme Court after a three-judge panel declared the new map biased against black voters and ordered it to be redrawn.
In their court filing, Alabama officials argued for a stay pending appeal, stating that there is a reasonable probability that the Supreme Court will consider the issue meritorious enough to grant certiorari or note probable jurisdiction. They also believe there is a fair prospect that a majority of the Court will vote to reverse the lower court’s order, and that denying a stay would result in irreparable harm.
“The State and its voters should have the opportunity for this Court’s review before being sorted into race-based districts that disregard all districting principles in pursuit of super-proportionality,” the filing added.
Alabama officials have previously contended that they are meeting the criteria of the Voting Rights Act, with one plan for the second district having a 40% black population, an increase from the previous 30%.
“We believe it does meet the Voting Rights Act standard because we followed all the guidelines,” said state Sen. Steve Livingston, a Republican. “As an opportunity district, nobody knows what the definition of opportunity is. They didn’t give us a definition.”
Republican state Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed expressed confidence in the process, stating, “I think we’re doing exactly what we’re supposed to do, our job, which is to put all the ideas on the table, both chambers engaged completely, and then we’ll move forward to see where things go. Obviously, we’re going to come to some agreement between the two chambers, and that’s very important for all of us.”
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