The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Aug. 2, 2024
Today’s Script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
In May, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a racially gerrymandered South Carolina Congressional district and made future racial gerrymandering cases more difficult. July 29th, pro-voter groups filed a state suit, claiming the gerrymander violated the state constitutional provision to an “equal right to elect officers.”
SECTION 5. Elections free and open.
South Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 5
All elections shall be free and open, and every inhabitant of this State possessing the qualifications provided for in this Constitution shall have an equal right to elect officers and be elected to fill public office.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that partisan gerrymandering was a matter for states to decide, but racial gerrymandering could still be challenged under the Voting Rights Act. The South Carolina NAACP sued when 30,000 Black voters were moved to a more White district, diluting their voting power and creating a White Republican majority district.
The South Carolina legislature claimed it did so for partisan, not racial, reasons. The U.S. Supreme Court not only allowed the racially gerrymandered district, but raised the bar for proving future racial gerrymandering cases. The NAACP withdrew further challenges on July 26th.
July 29th, the ACLU and the League of Women Voters asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to rule on the state constitutionality of the same Congressional District, citing Article 1, Section 5. Lynn Teague of the South Carolina League of Women Voters said in a statement, “South Carolina’s Constitution protects its citizens’ right to exercise equal influence over our elections. We are asking the court to establish redistricting standards consistent with our Constitution.”
We have a link to the case at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Supreme Court – Opinion & Dissent in Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP
American Democracy Minute – U.S. Supreme Court Finds South Carolina Gerrymandering Case ‘Bleaching’ Congressional District Not Racially Motivated
Democracy Docket – Nearly Three-Year Legal Battle Over South Carolina’s Congressional Map Comes to an End, Unfair Districts Remain in Place
ACLU & League of Women Voters SC – ACLU and LWV File Lawsuit Against Partisan Gerrymandering of South Carolina’s Congressional Districts
ACLU & League of Women Voters SC – Complaint for League of Women Voters of South Carolina v. Thomas Alexander
Justia Law – South Carolina Constitution Article 1, Section 5
Groups Taking Action:
South Carolina Conference of the NAACP, ACLU South Carolina, League of Women Voters SC
Check Your Voter Registration
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#Democracy #DemocracyNews #SouthCarolinaNews #FairMaps #VotingRights