Alabama Asks Supreme Court to Allow it to Use New Voting Map
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- Alabama officials have asked the Supreme Court to allow the state to use a new congressional voting map for the midterm elections, aiming to increase Republican chances of winning at least one Democratic-held seat.
- The request follows the Supreme Court's April 29 decision that struck down Louisiana's majority-Black district as an illegal racial gerrymander, impacting interpretations of the Voting Rights Act.
- Alabama's current map, which includes two majority-Black districts held by Democrats, was drawn to comply with previous Voting Rights Act standards but is now challenged in light of the recent ruling.
- State officials argue that Alabama's case is similar to Louisiana's and should result in elections conducted with districts based on lawful policy goals rather than race.
- The Supreme Court's ruling has prompted Republican-led Southern states to reconsider district lines, targeting majority-Black districts held by Democrats for potential partisan advantage.
