Press Release / Last Updated: June 8, 2023

By: Shannon Augustus

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld in Allen v. Milligan a lower court ruling that Alabama must create a second majority Black congressional district in compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The court’s decision affirms the ruling of a district court panel of three judges, which included two appointees of former President Donald Trump.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the League of Women Voters of Alabama (LWVAL), the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS), Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (SRZ), and Stand-Up Mobile submitted an amicus brief to the nation’s highest court outlining how Black Alabamians in the Black Belt and in Mobile constitute a community of interest and have been systematically deprived of their right to elect candidates of their choice to represent their interests in Congress. 

“Today the Supreme Court affirmed the rights of Black voters in Alabama to elect the leaders of their choice,” said Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama. “This ruling supports the decision of the three-judge panel that these maps diluted voting power based on race. It is a powerful declaration that Black voices in Alabama will no longer be ignored. We are pleased that we are one step closer to finally achieving equal representation in our state.”

“Today’s decision was worth the wait. The Court has affirmed the crucial role of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in ensuring that states cannot dilute the political power of Black communities during the redistricting process and that Black voters must have the opportunity to elect the leaders of their choice,” said Celina Stewart, chief counsel and senior director of advocacy and litigation for the League of Women Voters of the US. “Today’s ruling protects equal access to representation and is a necessary assurance to Black Alabamians and Americans that equal representation in our democracy is not out of reach, and instead recognition of a hard-fought and deserved right.” 

“The Supreme Court’s decision recognizes that the right of all Americans to equal representation still stands, but the fight does not end here,” said Bradley Heard, voting rights deputy legal director for the SPLC. “We will continue to challenge any barriers to voting wherever we see them, and we will advocate for the full restoration of all protections under the Voting Rights Act.”

“Today’s ruling has real meaning for Black Alabamians and the issues that most directly impact their lives, work, and families,” said Noah N. Gillespie, attorney with Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, which served as pro-bono counsel on the brief. “This decision shows Alabama and states across the country that the protections of the Voting Rights Act remain strong.”

“We’re glad that the Supreme Court has reaffirmed our right to an equal voice advocating for Black communities in Alabama. This represents a victory for equal rights over discrimination,” said Beverly Cooper, co-founder of Stand Up Mobile. “With an equal voice we will continue advocating for equal investment in our infrastructure, education and healthcare, and we will push for fully restoring voting protections to ensure all voters can make their voices heard.”