SCOTUS Said Alabama’s 26% Black Population Should have Two Congressional Districts.  Why is a Federal Court is Holding Up Maps Which Could Give Louisiana’s 33% Black Population Its Two Districts? 

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 3, 2023

Map: All About Redistricting

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Alabama’s population is 26% Black, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Allen v. Milligan decision mandated two majority minority Congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act.  Louisiana is 33% Black, but on Sept. 29th, a federal appeals court stopped the drawing of two Black Congressional districts.  

After the Milligan decision, the high court lifted the stay on Louisiana’s case.  A lower court ordered new maps with two majority minority districts, but Louisiana Republicans appealed, trying to keep the existing racially gerrymandered maps in place. September 29th, two Conservative judges in the Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals canceled a scheduled hearing on the new maps and stayed further action, suggesting the case had already been fully litigated.     

The plaintiffs in the case appealed September 30th to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking for an emergency stay of the appeals court decision, and to allow the hearing on the new map to continue and for it to be drawn in time for the 2024 election.  

Democracy Docket reports that very Conservative Justice Samuel Alito is in charge of emergency requests, and can either personally grant or deny the request, or refer it to the full court for a vote.  

We will follow this case closely, because it may impact other racial gerrymandering cases still under consideration.

See links to detailed analysis and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
All About Redistricting – Timeline of Current Racial Gerrymandering Case
Democracy Docket – Louisiana Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Robinson)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA – Ruling on  a Motion to Cancel Hearing on Remedy and to Enter a Scheduling Order for Trial
NPR – An appeals court has blocked the redrawing of Louisiana’s congressional map
Democracy Docket – Louisiana Voters Ask U.S. Supreme Court To Pause 5th Circuit Order Delaying Fair Maps
U.S. Supreme Court Brief via Democracy Docket  – EMERGENCY APPLICATION FOR STAY OF WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Groups Taking Action:
Power Coalition for Equity and Justice,  ACLU of Louisiana

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE! 
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!
#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #SCOTUS #AllenvMilligan #LouisianaPolitics #StopGerrymandering
#Racial Gerrymandering