The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 12, 2025
Special Note from the Host: You may notice some slurring of my speech during this and upcoming reports. May 9th, I suffered an attack of Bell’s Palsy which has affected the right side of my face and impacts my speech. This is being treated, and recovery is expected with 2-3 weeks of steroid treatments. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision in Allen vs. Milligan in 2023, finding Alabama must provide an additional majority-Black Congressional District. Defiant, the legislature created new maps – again with only one real majority-minority district. That action could return Alabama to “preclearance” status by the federal government.
A federal appeals court promptly threw out the revised maps, and used maps from a special master instead. Alabama challenged the court’s maps, which resulted in May 8th’s 531-page opinion.
A three-judge U.S. District Court panel found that the legislature’s failure to follow the court’s directive was an intentional effort to discriminate against Black Alabamians. It rejected the State’s assertions that a new district created with only 40% Black representation was done to avoid a conflict with communities of interest, when evidence suggested otherwise.
The court’s opinion noted, QUOTE, “Remedial proceedings lie ahead, both as to the map(s) Alabama will use for the rest of this census cycle and the Milligan Plaintiffs’ request for bail-in through 2032.” UNQUOTE. ‘Bail-in” refers to a preclearance of Alabama’s voting districts by the U.S. Justice Department – rules which have not been enforced since the 2013 Shelby vs. Holder decision.
Whether the Trump DOJ would actually enforce a future VRA Section 2 order it is yet to be seen.
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
History of Allen v. Milligan:
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Bombshell SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Case Reaffirms VRA Section 2 and May Impact 2024 Elections
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Federal Appeals Court Slams Alabama Legislature for Defying U.S. Supreme Court’s Milligan Ruling and Strikes Down Revised Maps
American Redistricting Project – Allen v. Milligan
Current Decision in Alabama’s Appeal in Allen v. Milligan
U.S. District Court – INJUNCTION AND ORDER FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Alabama Reflector – Federal court: Alabama Legislature intentionally discriminated against Black voters in redistricting
Groups Taking Action:
NAACP Legal Defense Fund, ACLU
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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