In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that Alabama’s 2023 congressional map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black political power. The Court emphasized that the state failed to create a second majority-Black district as mandated, despite previous rulings. This decision reinforces the Court’s commitment to protecting minority voting rights.
The case, Allen v. Milligan, centers on Alabama’s congressional districting following the 2020 Census. Black residents make up approximately 27% of the state’s population, yet the 2021 congressional map included only one majority-Black district out of seven. Plaintiffs argued that this configuration unlawfully diluted the voting strength of Black Alabamians, violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices that discriminate based on race.
In 2022, a three-judge panel ruled that Alabama’s map likely violated the Voting Rights Act, ordering the state to redraw its districts to provide Black voters with an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. However, the Alabama Legislature’s 2023 map continued to include only one majority-Black district, prompting further legal challenges.
The Supreme Court’s recent decision affirms the lower court’s ruling, emphasizing that the state’s failure to comply with federal mandates undermines the principles of equal representation. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, writing for the majority, stated, “The state’s deliberate disregard for court orders reflects a troubling pattern of resistance to federal oversight designed to protect minority voting rights.”
Civil rights organizations have hailed the decision as a significant victory. Deuel Ross, senior counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, remarked, “This ruling reaffirms the fundamental principle that all citizens, regardless of race, must have an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.” The ACLU echoed this sentiment, noting that the decision underscores the necessity of robust enforcement of the Voting Rights Act.
The ruling also has practical implications for Alabama’s political landscape. In the 2024 elections, the court-ordered map enabled the election of Representative Shomari Figures to the 2nd Congressional District, marking the first time Alabama has elected two Black members to Congress. Representative Figures expressed hope that the decision would lead to more inclusive and representative governance in the state.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has indicated that the state is considering all legal options, including potential appeals. Legal experts suggest that any further challenges would likely focus on procedural aspects rather than the substantive issues addressed by the Court.
This case highlights ongoing debates over redistricting and voting rights in the United States. While the Supreme Court has reaffirmed key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, some states continue to grapple with how to balance legal mandates with political considerations. Observers will be closely monitoring future cases to see how courts navigate these complex issues.
For now, the decision stands as a testament to the enduring importance of protecting minority voting rights and ensuring that all citizens have an equal voice in the democratic process.
