The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for Alabama to use a congressional map federal courts twice found discriminates against Black voters.

The decision means Alabama will use a map with only one majority-Black district out of seven, even though Black voters make up 27% of the state’s voting-age population.

JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist, executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, said Black Alabamians have seen this before and cannot rely on courts to protect their rights.

“Historically, the courts have never given Black Alabamians, Black Southerners their freedom, and so we cannot allow the court to dictate our freedom now,” Gilchrist asserted. “What we need to continue doing, that we’ve already been doing, is mobilizing folks, ensuring people are getting to the polls, and ensuring that they are informed.”

The Supreme Court’s unsigned order granted Alabama’s request for a stay, pausing a lower court ruling which had found the 2023 map intentionally discriminated against Black voters. A special primary election is set for Aug. 11, with the general election in November.

The case dates back to 2021. In 2023, the Supreme Court said Alabama needed two Black opportunity districts. After April’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which weakened the Voting Rights Act, the state moved to reinstate its 2023 map.

Gilchrist pointed out voter suppression has deep roots in Alabama.

“Full enfranchisement for Black Alabamians and quite honestly, Black folks across this country has only been in place for just 61 years since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act,” Gilchrist noted.

The district court has set the case for retrial no later than January 2027. Gilchrist urged voters to stay engaged by showing up for local elections, city council meetings and school boards — not just the ballot box, adding civic engagement does not begin or end at the voting booth.

Source: Public News Service