Gerrymandering: Alabama must draw 2nd Black majority district | DW News

In a surprise 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the state of Alabama had in fact violated the 19-65 Voting Rights Act with the way that its Republican lawmakers drew the current map for federal elections.

Alabama has seven Congressional districts. Currently, only one of them has a majority Black population, even though Black people make up 27 percent - so over a quarter - of Alabama's total population.

The Supreme Court ruling requires Alabama to now draw a second district with a Black majority.

The decision reaffirms the landmark Voting Rights Act signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 19-65 which was designed to prevent racial discrimination in voting. The law came in response to Black people being denied their right to vote in Alabama and other southern states. That discrimination triggered peaceful protests that were often broken up brutally by police.

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[chloricacid]

5 to 4? Jesus, that's still way too close for comfort.

[JoeyIndolos]

As someone who’s not from the US, when she said “in a surprise 5-4 decision” I thought that she meant it was surprising that as much as 4 justices thought that the gerrymandering was legal. It turns out that the surprise is that the majority voted that it was illegal. Sad.

[JojoJojo-hgql]

Just use county boundaries as voting districts like any other sane society 😂

[Oosh]

In Australia we have boundaries drawn by an independent body. Not the politicians of the day.

[jevans]

Somewhere Kid Rock is shooting up a case of Bud Light in righteous anger.

[Worldaffairslover]

Alabamas one of our worst states. Likened to a 3rd world country

[markojovanovic]

As an outsider, I conclude that this way the elections are rendered ineffective (if there is even a real counting of votes) and further inflames racial and party intolerance, which is never good for any country. Human rights are constantly talked about, but in reality they are less and less and lead to division among the population. I don't think that's good.

[madcow]

It's worth noting that Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice Roberts crossed party lines to vote against Alabama.

[tomlxyz]

Gerrymandering is only possible because the US voting system doesn't use popular vote, meaning someone can win without having the majority of votes

[lazyboy]

the whole system is bizarre and should be replaced. districts shouldnt be drawn by politicians in power at a given moment. their shape should obey clear and objetive permanent guidelines. other countries with district voting have much better systems that are not used to either under or over represent certain races. gerrymandering is absurd in itself and is what orban have been doing to remain indefinitely in power in hungary. the usa needs to redesign thaeir entire electoral system. maybe it made sense in the late 1700s, but it sure doesnt now. weird voting methods only in parts of the nation, electoral college, winner takes all in each state in presidential elections, elections on a weekday, none of it makes any sense

[jebbo-cl]

ridiculous that these districts were even allowed to be gerrymandered to this extent. Thats not how a democracy should work

[maineusaMax]

America is always trying to form, "a more perfect union". From our Constitution, we know we're not perfect, we strive for it. If we can get mostly honest people in power, we will fix anything. This is a start.

[l_vwv_l]

It would be fairer if they were to have a swing district instead of two dem districts.

[chris]

As a US American, I will add that the national rules about Gerrymandering are the floor; some individual states have stricter standards.

[rollingdownfalling]

Super interesting, 2 judges turned to the liberal side.

[lordy]

How about not only race base gerrymandering

[aishaalamoudi]

with narrow margins in congress, this is Basically guaranteed a district flipped.

[rsmith]

Not for nothing, but how does drawing a district based on race fix a violation of the law forbidding drawing districts based on race ? I believe racial prejudice was involved here, but it is certain it will be in the redraw .

[chriscarrol]

It's done all the time in Canada but not on racial demographics but on financial ones."Im not racist everybody's money is the same colour" notice the spelling I must be Canadian LoL. Besides in America you only have two choices and both get BIG contributions from the same corporations . It's like the old saying let's flip a coin ok? HEADS IN WIN TALES YOU LOOSE. Say it quick to someone not so smart in real life i bet you will get a taker or two. Sad. That's why the founding fathers created the electoral college. In fact america is technically not a democracy and even if 100% voted democrat the electoral college could vote republican.

[jmpattillo]

Lots of the suggestions in these comments would require a constitutional amendment, which is extremely difficult. One solution that wouldn’t require an amendment would be to drastically increase the size of the House of Representatives. This would increase the number of districts in each state and make gerrymandering less effective.