The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 28, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
“The application for stay presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied.” So read the entire ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court on the State of Alabama’s Hail Mary to save its defiant Congressional District map.
In a 5-4 decision in June, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Alabama’s racially gerrymandered Congressional map, and mandated two of seven districts be majority-minority Black districts, or “something quite like it.” The state legislature responded with one district at 50.65%, and another at only 40%. In response, the federal appeals court appointed a special master to draw the maps.. Alabama’s AG requested a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, which was denied September 26th.
Many were surprised by Alabama’s defiant position. Reporting by an Alabama news outlet now appears to show why. Sources told the Alabama Political Reporter that Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, acting on intelligence from a Washington law firm and with support from groups tied to Supreme Court power broker Leonard Leo, pushed to get the case back before the Supreme Court, where Justice Brett Kavanaugh might change his mind on the case. That plan was derailed in the latest decision, to the benefit of Alabama’s Black voters.
The special master has now submitted three maps, all within the court’s parameters.
We have links to the Alabama Political Reporter’s revealing articles at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Alabama Reflector – Federal court blocks Alabama’s congressional map, orders new lines drawn
Alabama Reflector – U.S. Supreme Court rejects Alabama’s request to stay redistricting decision
U.S. Supreme Court – ORDER IN PENDING CASE 23A231 ALLEN, AL SEC. OF STATE V. MILLIGAN, EVAN, ET AL.
CNN – Special master in Alabama redistricting case proposes three House maps in a closely watched voting rights fight
Alabama Political Reporter – Inside Alabama Republicans’ plan to overturn Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act
Alabama Political Reporter – Dark money: The backstory of Alabama’s redistricting defiance
Alabama Political Reporter – Opinion – Alabama’s defense of its voting maps had a specific target
Groups Taking Action:
National Redistricting Foundation, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU Alabama
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #AllenvMilligan #EndGerrymandering #SCOTUS #AlabamaPolitics