Supreme Court Orders Congressional Maps to be Redrawn in Alabama

The decision will give more opportunities for minority voters.

In a surprise ruling…and a big win for supporters of voting rights…the Supreme Court has ordered Alabama to redraw its voting maps. In a five-to-four majority, the high court justices decided the state’s congressional maps did likely discriminate against black voters. Alabama officials must redraw the maps to allow an additional black majority district because the state is 27-percent African American. The decision will give more opportunities for minority voters to elect the candidate of their choice. Supporters of voting rights had feared the court was going to make it harder for minorities to challenge maps under a key section of the historic voting rights act that bars discrimination based on race.