redistricting
Alabama defying federal redistricting orders, plaintiffs say in new filing
Attorneys for plaintiffs challenging Alabama’s congressional maps Tuesday accused the state of defying federal court orders to draw a second opportunity district for Black voters. In a 51-page brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, the attorneys asked the justices to reject a request from the state to stay a special master from drawing new […]
Federal court blocks Alabama’s congressional map, orders new lines drawn
A three-judge federal panel Tuesday ruled that a new Alabama congressional map failed to address Voting Rights Act violations and ordered a third party to draw new lines. In a 217-page opinion in the case, known as Allen v. Milligan, U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus and U.S. District Judges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer sharply […]
North Carolina redistricting case decided by SCOTUS divided top Arkansas legal officers
The North Carolina case that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday had split two of Arkansas’s chief legal officers. Former Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge led a group of state attorneys general who filed an amicus brief in the case in support of the “independent state legislatures theory.” The theory mostly centers around congressional […]
NC Republicans lose US Supreme Court case on legislatures’ power over federal elections
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected North Carolina Republican legislators’ argument that the state courts cannot review laws legislatures pass governing federal elections. Republican legislators claimed the Elections Clause in the U.S. Constitution makes legislatures the sole state authorities on federal elections law, including congressional redistricting. Critics said the high court’s endorsement of the […]
Plaintiffs hope SCOTUS decision in Alabama case bodes well for Arkansas redistricting lawsuits
Attorneys representing those who have challenged Arkansas’ state and federal redistricting plans believe a pair of Thursday U.S. Supreme Court decisions could breathe new life into their lawsuits against the state. The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, noting that Thursday decisions by the […]
Ruling in Alabama case could boost suits increasing Black voters’ power in other states
In one sense, the Supreme Court’s surprise ruling striking down Alabama’s 2022 congressional maps maintains the legal status quo. By 5-4, the justices rejected the state’s attempt to restrict the ability of the Voting Rights Act to block gerrymanders that suppress the power of minority voters. But that dramatically understates the impact of the case, […]
Second suit challenges racial ‘gerrymandering’ in Arkansas’ congressional redistricting
Three Central Arkansas voters and a religious group filed another federal lawsuit on Tuesday challenging Arkansas’ new congressional district map. The voters and the Christian Ministerial Alliance claim that Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District — which includes most of Central Arkansas – was racially gerrymandered. The complaint — like a similar lawsuit filed last year by […]
The battle for control of Congress: Abortion, inflation, crime and Biden
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress are fanning out to every district in the country, leaving the wonky floor debates on Capitol Hill behind for the campaign trail in advance of the crucial Nov. 8 midterm elections. Democrats are fighting to hold their razor-thin majorities in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, citing two years of […]
Arkansas Legislature to hire outside law firm in redistricting lawsuit
Arkansas General Assembly staff plan to hire a Little Rock law firm to help with subpoenas in the lawsuit over congressional redistricting. A legislative subcommittee on Thursday authorized the Bureau of Legislative Research to negotiate a contract with the Mitchell Williams Law Firm for representation in the Pulaski County Circuit Court case challenging Arkansas new […]