Alabama Lawmakers Reject Proposal for Second Majority-Black Congressional District

Alabama lawmakers have refused to create a second majority-Black congressional district, defying a recent order from the U.S. Supreme Court to give minority voters a greater voice. Instead, they passed a plan that increases the percentage of Black voters in the state's 2nd District from about 31% to 40%. Voting rights advocates and Black lawmakers argue that the plan invokes the state's history of treating Black voters unfairly. Republicans claim their proposal complies with the directive to create a second district where Black voters can influence congressional elections, while opponents argue it flouts the directive to create a second majority-Black district. The fight will now shift to federal court to determine if Alabama's congressional districts comply with federal law and offer a fair opportunity to Black voters and candidates.