In a win for voters, a three-judge panel with two Trump appointees ruled that Alabama’s 2023 congressional map is unconstitutional and violates the VRA, calling it “an intentional effort to dilute Black Alabamians’ voting strength.”

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Thursday, May 8



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Judges strike down Alabama congressional map as racially discriminatory

- In a win for voters, a three-judge panel with two Trump appointees ruled ([link removed] ) that Alabama’s 2023 congressional map is unconstitutional and violates the VRA, calling it “an intentional effort to dilute Black Alabamians’ voting strength.”

Trump drops D.C. U.S. Attorney pick

- Trump withdrew his pick for U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, who defended ([link removed] ) the actions of Jan. 6 rioters. The president said he will announce a new nominee soon and that Martin will go to the main Justice Department.

Wisconsin’s congressional map challenged

- Wisconsin voters sued ([link removed] ) to get new congressional districts. Voters allege the map is gerrymandered to unfairly benefit Republicans, violating the state constitution.

- The lawsuit’s prospects were boosted by Wisconsin’s high-profile state Supreme Court election earlier this year, where Susan Crawford won ([link removed] ) a seat and maintained the court’s 4-3 liberal majority.

Victory for New York voters

- A New York appellate court upheld ([link removed] ) the state's pro-voting Even Year Election Law, which requires that local governments align some local elections with presidential and gubernatorial election years to boost voter turnout.

Hearings coming up tomorrow

- The 4th Circuit will hear a case challenging ([link removed] ) a North Carolina law that imposes criminal penalties on residents who vote while on parole, probation or post-release supervision for a felony conviction. A district court declared the law violated the 14th amendment and equal protection clauses. The state elections board appealed.

- The 4th Circuit will also hear a pro-voting lawsuit challenging ([link removed] ) Virginia's voting rights restoration policy, which allows for restoration on a discretionary, case-by-case basis. The plaintiffs alleged the Youngkin administration illegally repealed the previous restoration policy which was based on objective criteria. The case was dismissed by a district court.

Big decision could come a week from today

- Next Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to release at least one decision at 10 a.m. ET. We’re waiting for SCOTUS to rule on Louisiana’s congressional map in a case ([link removed] ) that could impact the future of the Voting Rights Act.

- Also next Thursday: SCOTUS will hear oral arguments on Trump's request to limit nationwide injunctions against his order seeking to eliminate ([link removed] ) birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.

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