One of the civil rights cases before the Supreme Court of the United States during the 2022 – 23 session could allow States to Redistrict our Voting Right Away. Depending of course, on how the right-leaning court votes.

The first Monday in October. That means it’s the beginning of the Supreme Court session. The Justices will hear cases from now until the Spring of 2023

Then in the Summer of 2023, beginning on July 1, we will begin recieving their decisions on these cases.

Nightmare on First Street

Some people are calling this Supreme Court the Nightmare on First Street. The beautiful Supreme Court Building is located on First Street South East, across the street from the U.S. Capitol.

This first Tuesday in October. We heard arguments in one of the cases Civil rights leaders are most concerned about.

Alabama and Voting Rights

The case is Merrill v. Milligan it involves a Redistricting plan in Alabama.  At the center of the case is the Voting Rights Act. Here is what Alabama is trying to do.

When Alabama changed voting districts in the state it limited the state’s Black voter to just one Majority-Black district.

This is called “Diluting the Vote.

Black voters in make up 27 percent of the population. But they would be limited to just one district out of seven.

Critics challenged Alabama’s Redistricting Plan, saying it violates the Voter’s Right’s Act. Section 2 of the VRA, prohibits state actions that dilute minority voting influence.

But in a 5-4 vote early this year, a district Court put aside the case on grounds that it involved federal courts in politically sensitive decisions too close to an actual election.

That decision allowed Alabama to keep the redistricting plan in place.

Now the case is before the Supreme Court.

Voting Rights groups fear the right-leaning majority will side with Alabama. If that happen then it opens the flood gates for other states to follow Alabama.

VRA will lose any relevance in crucial redistricting decisions; such a verdict would decisively short-circuit challenges to Republican gerrymanders in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Redistricting and the Power of State Legislatures

State Legislatures have hold the power to Redistrict.

Redistricting by Republican State Legislatures is why many once believed that Democrats had absolutely no chance to hold on to control in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Supreme Court decision on Abortion changed that scenario.

Vote – Vote – Vote

When democrats and moderates turn out to vote. We win. Republicans know this.