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It’s been a busy news week.
But when it comes to democracy, long term, this may be the biggest. And it happens to be great news.
The Alabama gerrymandering case that’s been before the Supreme Court risked upending the only remaining federal protection against gerrymandering—the cynical dividing up of majority-minority districts to minimize Black representation.
Years of precedent provided clear standards against the practice. Alabama clearly violated them, so its argument tried to upend the entire line of cases.
It was always a rogue argument, embarrassing really, but it would’ve gutted the Voting Rights Act. When the Court took the case, I was worried sick Alabama’s argument would earn five votes. That could’ve led to new attempts to gerrymander throughout the country, further eroding fair representation everywhere.
Today, the Court ruled 5-4 AGAINST Alabama. The Voting Rights Act protection remains for these types of cases.
Lots more to say, but this is a HUGE (and surprising) win for democracy.
Breaking: Huge Win re Alabama
i'm wondering if it means that the reactionary wing is feeling a little concerned about their loss of credibility, between decisions like Dobbs and their ethics problems. Could they be pulling their horns in a little?
I'm amazed that Kavanaugh agreed with the liberals twice within a month (Idaho wetlands case in late May). But still, Thomas's dissent is so shockingly dishonest, arguing that districting must be race neutral, when the Alabama case was such a blantant effort to pack black voters into a single district that even 2 trump-appointed judges on the 11th district appeals court recognized it as such! I don't want to rain on the parade...I celebrate this victory, despite remaining generally terrified by this SCOTUS.