In a bold move that judicial accountability advocate Alex Aronson deems “striking and nearly unprecedented in this country’s history”, Alabama’s legislature is facing intense scrutiny for its resistance to court rulings and attempts to manipulate the electoral landscape.
Aronson, a former chief counsel to US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, points to a staggering investment of about $600 million by conservative forces to influence the composition of the state’s judiciary.
The recent conflict revolves around a new congressional district map drawn by Republicans in the Alabama Legislature, a map challenged by plaintiffs including the NAACP, ACLU, Shalela Dowdy, and Evan Milligan. Alleging a violation of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Republican-dominated legislature disregarded both the US Supreme Court and a lower court, leading a three-judge panel to appoint a special master to redraw the boundaries.
Milligan, executive director of Alabama Forward, expressed cautious optimism after the court’s decision, emphasizing that there is still much work to be done. The chosen map, while not a majority-Black district, poses concerns for activists like Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter and the Black Voters Matter Fund. Albright warns that this decision may open a slippery slope, allowing the dilution of majority-minority districts.
The broader context of this struggle in Alabama extends beyond the immediate legal battle. Aronson highlights a significant dark-money network, led by conservative activist Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society, influencing the state’s political landscape. This network’s role goes beyond the current voting rights issue, as Aronson suggests they are behind attacks on Critical Race Theory, book banning, and more.
The situation in Alabama, as described by Aronson, raises questions about the state of American democracy. The clash between white Christian nationalists and those advocating for a multicultural democracy, as noted by the Rev. Jim Wallis, becomes a pivotal test for the court system, equality, and the nation’s faith in its democratic principles.
As the battles over voting rights continue, activists are urged to focus on voter education, registration, and turnout. Albright emphasizes the need to address issues like Section 2, racial gerrymandering, and related challenges. The overarching concern is whether elected Democrats will confront the influence of the Federalist Society, a key player in shaping the judiciary, or risk descending into authoritarianism, as highlighted by Aronson.
The stakes are high, with the struggle in Alabama emblematic of a broader ideological and existential challenge facing the nation in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
