Voting Rights Act

News

2010 Legislative Redistricting Upheld in Court, Black Democrats May Appeal

By Lee Hedgepeth Alabama Political Reporter Last week a panel of three Federal judges ruled that Alabama’s 2010 legislative redistricting plan does not violate either the Voting Rights Act or the US Constitution. This ruling came as a big win for Republicans in the state, who had taken over the legislature for the first time … Continued

Lee Hedgepeth

December 27, 2013

Lawsuit Questions Redistricting Plan

By Beth Clayton Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY–Several groups are suing the State of Alabama, arguing that the new legislative districts are discriminatory against black voters. The three-judge panel began hearing the case on Thursday, which is expected to last four to five days. The Alabama Legislative Black Caucus and the Alabama Association of Black County … Continued

Beth Clayton

August 9, 2013

Mayor Johnny Ford to Speak-Out on Voting Rights Act

Staff Report MONTGOMERY — Today at 10:00 Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford will hold a press conference on the steps of the Alabama State House to praise the Obama administration for its efforts to reinstate the Voting Rights Act. The following is a statement from Mayor Ford: “I want to publicly commend the U.S. Attorney General … Continued

July 26, 2013

Alabama leaders respond to Supreme Court Decision on the Voting Rights Act

By Beth Clayton Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY–Today the Supreme Court announced a 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the case which challenged section five of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Under section five, states with a history of discrimination in voting rights must have changes to election plans pre-cleared by the US Justice Department … Continued

Beth Clayton

June 26, 2013

VictoryLand, Farrakhan and Voting Rights on the State House steps

By Beth Clayton Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY–Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford announced his support for protection of section five of the Voting Rights Act at a press conference on the state house steps. Ford was joined by Rose Sanders, wife of state Senator Hank Sanders (D-Selma), and supporters from Macon County who spoke in support of … Continued

Beth Clayton

June 13, 2013

Opinion

The Reality of Supremacy

By Senator Quinton Ross Last Thursday marked the end of February which is a month that has been deemed an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of African Americans in this state and nation. It is my contention that these achievements cannot be narrowed to one day, one week or one month, but they are … Continued

Quinton Ross

March 8, 2013

Supreme Court Hears Shelby County Challenge of Voting Rights Act

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter 1965 in Alabama was a very different place. Whites used a complex system of poll taxes, literacy tests, threats, and sometimes actual violence to keep the Black minority from exercising their right to vote. The state legislature of the day was literally all White. Whites even represented majority black … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 1, 2013

McClendon and Smitherman Divided Over Preclearance Section of the 1965 Voting Right Act

By Susan Britt and Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act requires that any changes to voting districts in Alabama and 15 other states must be approved by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The City of Calera and Shelby County have challenged that 47 year old law, … Continued

Susan Britt

June 6, 2012

Shelby County and the City of Calera Challenge 47 Year Old Voting Rights Act

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Reuters is reporting that the United States Supreme Court is likely to hear Shelby County vs. Holder. Shelby County and the City of Calera are challenging a section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act which gives the U.S. Department of Justice jurisdiction over reapportionment in 16 states including Alabama. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 5, 2012

McClendon talks about Reapportionment; Special Session Begins This Week

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The special session addressing the decennial Alabama Legislature reapportionment is expected to begin on Thursday, if Alabama Governor Bentley calls for the anticipated special session. The Co-Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Reapportionment are Senator Gerald Dial (R) from Lineville and Representative Jim McClendon (R) from Springville. Chairman McClendon … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 14, 2012