Federal court rejects state’s congressional maps

(The Center Square) — A federal three-judge panel rejected the latest congressional maps drawn by the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday.

The panel of U.S. Judges Stanley Marcus, Ana Manasco and Terry Moorer ordered the task of drawing new congressional maps be given to a court-appointed special master and a cartographer.

“We discern no basis in federal law to accept a map the State admits falls short of this required remedy,” the judges said in their decision. “We do not take lightly federal intrusion into a process ordinarily reserved for the State Legislature.

“But we have now said twice that this Voting Rights Act case is not close. And we are deeply troubled that the State enacted a map that the State readily admits does not provide the remedy we said federal law requires.”

The new maps were approved by lawmakers on July 21 after a special session, but fell short of creating a second Black-majority district that the plaintiffs seek. There are seven districts in the state.

- Advertisement -

“We are disturbed by the evidence that the State delayed remedial proceedings but ultimately did not even nurture the ambition to provide the required remedy,” the order read. “And we are struck by the extraordinary circumstance we face. We are not aware of any other case in which a state legislature – faced with a federal court order declaring that its electoral plan unlawfully dilutes minority votes and requiring a plan that provides an additional opportunity district – responded with a plan that the state concedes does not provide that district.

“The law requires the creation of an additional district that affords Black Alabamians, like everyone else, a fair and reasonable opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The 2023 Plan plainly fails to do so.”

On June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Allen v. Milligan that said Alabama’s previously-drawn map was in violation of the Voting Rights Act and ordered new maps that create an “opportunity district” for minority voters to cast ballots for the candidates of their choice.

Marcus was appointed during the Clinton administration, Manasco and Moorer each by former President Donald Trump.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

How Do Americans Feel About Trump 2.0?

(AURN News) — A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll shows...

Wisconsin lawmaker estimates Evers’ budget would increase taxes more than $3B

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers...

BIAW refiles suit requiring state building code council to follow natural gas law

(The Center Square) – The Building Industry Association of...

Virginia General Assembly adjourns, more work may lie ahead

(The Center Square) – The Virginia General Assembly officially...

Property tax relief fund relying on reserves

(The Center Square) – A Tennessee fund that provides...

Apple expanding iDataCenter campus in Maiden

(The Center Square) – Apple’s next four years investment...

Lawmakers warn of gaps in child protection services

(The Center Square) — During a recent hearing of...

More like this
Related

How Do Americans Feel About Trump 2.0?

(AURN News) — A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll shows...

Wisconsin lawmaker estimates Evers’ budget would increase taxes more than $3B

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers...

BIAW refiles suit requiring state building code council to follow natural gas law

(The Center Square) – The Building Industry Association of...

Virginia General Assembly adjourns, more work may lie ahead

(The Center Square) – The Virginia General Assembly officially...