In a win for voters, a three-judge panel with two Trump appointees ruled that Alabama’s 2023 congressional map is unconstitutional and violates the VRA, calling it “an intentional effort to dilute Black Alabamians’ voting strength.”
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Judges strike down Alabama congressional map as racially discriminatory
In a win for voters, a three-judge panel with two Trump appointees ruled that Alabama’s 2023 congressional map is unconstitutional and violates the VRA, calling it “an intentional effort to dilute Black Alabamians’ voting strength.”
Trump drops D.C. U.S. Attorney pick
Trump withdrew his pick for U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, who defended the actions of Jan. 6 rioters. The president said he will announce a new nominee soon and that Martin will go to the main Justice Department.
Wisconsin’s congressional map challenged
Wisconsin voters sued to get new congressional districts. Voters allege the map is gerrymandered to unfairly benefit Republicans, violating the state constitution.
The lawsuit’s prospects were boosted by Wisconsin’s high-profile state Supreme Court election earlier this year, where Susan Crawford won a seat and maintained the court’s 4-3 liberal majority.
Victory for New York voters
A New York appellate court upheld the state's pro-voting Even Year Election Law, which requires that local governments align some local elections with presidential and gubernatorial election years to boost voter turnout.
Hearings coming up tomorrow
The 4th Circuit will hear a case challenging a North Carolina law that imposes criminal penalties on residents who vote while on parole, probation or post-release supervision for a felony conviction. A district court declared the law violated the 14th amendment and equal protection clauses. The state elections board appealed.
The 4th Circuit will also hear a pro-voting lawsuit challenging Virginia's voting rights restoration policy, which allows for restoration on a discretionary, case-by-case basis. The plaintiffs alleged the Youngkin administration illegally repealed the previous restoration policy which was based on objective criteria. The case was dismissed by a district court.
Big decision could come a week from today
Next Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to release at least one decision at 10 a.m. ET. We’re waiting for SCOTUS to rule on Louisiana’s congressional map in a case that could impact the future of the Voting Rights Act.
Also next Thursday: SCOTUS will hear oral arguments on Trump's request to limit nationwide injunctions against his order seeking to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.
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