HUNTSVILLE, Ala. WHNT (June 13, 2017) – Where you vote, and even who you vote for, could change depending on an upcoming federal court ruling.
Last month, the Alabama Legislature passed a law changing voting districts to comply with a federal court order.
Now, the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus is contesting those new district maps.
In January, the Alabama Legislature was mandated by a court order to redraw 12 districts in the state. The Judges ruled, these districts were unconstitutional, because they relied too heavily on race.
“Just looking at Jefferson County alone, I could see their argument, it does appear to be gerrymandering,” says Rep. Anthony Daniels, the House Minority leader and member of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus.
The solution Alabama lawmakers came up with still doesn’t sit well with the Alabama Democratic Conference and the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, so they’re urging the court to throw out these redrawn maps too.
“Their involvement in the process came late after which the lines had been drawn and I think there’s a lot of frustration here. I think what the people of Alabama really want to see us do is work together,” says Rep. Daniels.
Among the twelve zones originally contested, is District 53, that Rep. Daniels serves.
“Whatever decision is made, whether they redraw the lines and my district changes, you know I’m fine with that,” he says. We need more people that have an independent mindset when it comes to making decisions of this magnitude.”
Alabama is among more than 30 states who rely on their legislatures, and legislators, to pick their own districts.
