Alabama Republicans Advance New Congressional Lines Despite Criticism from Black Lawmakers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republicans have advanced a proposed map for new congressional lines, drawing criticism from Black lawmakers who called it an insult. The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the legislature to redraw districts to give Black voters a greater voice in elections.
The GOP plan, which was approved by the House of Representatives in a 74-27 vote, does not establish the second majority-Black district sought by plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case. Instead, the plan aims to increase the percentage of Black voters to 42% in the district, making it a political swing district where either a Republican or Democrat could get elected. The bill will now move to the Alabama Senate for further consideration.
Black lawmakers expressed their disappointment with the proposed map during the floor debate. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, called it a “slap in the face” to Black Alabamians and the Supreme Court. Rep. Prince Chestnut, a Democrat from Selma, criticized the state for being on the ”wrong side of history.”
This decision comes as Alabama lawmakers take steps towards the construction of a new Alabama Statehouse by appointing a committee to negotiate a lease. It also follows the rejection of proposals to create a second majority-Black voting district, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s order.
Lawmakers in Alabama will convene on Monday to draw a new congressional map, following the directive from the U.S. Supreme Court. The state’s governor has set a special session for lawmakers to redraw congressional maps that were declared unfair to Black voters by the nation’s high court.
Rep. Chestnut highlighted the ongoing struggle for voting rights, stating, “We’re fighting the same battles that they were fighting 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 40 years ago, right here today. Once again, the (Republican) super majority decided that the voting rights of Black people are nothing that this state is bound to respect. And it’s offensive. It’s wrong.”
State lawmakers face a Friday deadline to adopt new lines after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a finding that the current state map likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The proposed GOP plan aims to increase the percentage of Black voters in the 2nd Congressional District from about 31% to 42.4%.
Republican House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle defended the proposed lines, stating that they provide an opportunity for minorities to elect a candidate of their choosing, as required by the court. However, a group of voters who challenged the existing congressional plan argued that white Republicans drew the map to maintain power by concentrating Black voters in a single majority-Black district.
Currently, Alabama sends one Black congresswoman, Rep. Terri Sewell, to Washington, while the remaining six representatives are white Republicans. The appellate ruling that struck down the existing congressional map criticized the state for its lack of diversity in representation.
As the deadline approaches, Alabama lawmakers will continue to face scrutiny and pressure to create a fair and inclusive congressional map that upholds the voting rights of all citizens.Alabama Republicans Advance New Congressional Lines Despite Criticism from Black Lawmakers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republicans have advanced a new congressional map that has been criticized by Black lawmakers as an insult. The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the legislature to redraw districts in order to give Black voters a greater voice in elections.
The proposed GOP plan, which was approved by the House of Representatives in a 74-27 vote, does not establish the second majority-Black district that plaintiffs had sought. Instead, it increases the percentage
How does the GOP plan for new congressional lines in Alabama impact the representation of black voters in elections
Alabama Republicans Push Forward with New Congressional Lines Despite Opposition from Black Lawmakers
Alabama Republicans have recently advanced a proposed map for new congressional lines, drawing criticism from black lawmakers who consider it an insult. This move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the legislature to redraw districts in order to give black voters a greater voice in elections.
The GOP plan, which has been approved by the House of Representatives with a 74-27 vote, does not establish the second majority-black district that was sought by the plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case. Instead, the plan aims to increase the percentage of black voters to 42% in the district, making it a political swing district where either a Republican or Democrat could be elected. The bill will now proceed to the Alabama Senate for further consideration.
During the floor debate, black lawmakers expressed their disappointment with the proposed map. Representative Barbara Drummond called it a “slap in the face” to black Alabamians and the Supreme Court, while Representative Prince Chestnut criticized the state for being on the “wrong side of history.”
This decision occurs as Alabama lawmakers move forward with the construction of a new Alabama Statehouse by appointing a committee to negotiate a lease. It also follows the rejection of proposals to create a second majority-black voting district, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s order.
Alabama lawmakers will convene on Monday to draw a new congressional map in response to the directive from the U.S. Supreme Court. The state’s governor has scheduled a special session for lawmakers to redraw the congressional maps that were deemed unfair to black voters by the nation’s highest court.
Representative Chestnut emphasized the ongoing struggle for voting rights, stating, “We’re fighting the same battles that they were fighting 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 40 years ago, right here today. Once again, the (Republican) super majority decided that the voting rights of black people are nothing that this state is bound to respect. And it’s off.”
