The US Supreme Court ruled that a Congressional redistricting plan in Alabama, whose opponents argue dilutes the voting power of Black Alabama voters, may remain to be used in Alabama for the 2022 midterm elections.
The State of Alabama, based on its population, is currently divided into seven (7) congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives. Blacks comprise approximately 27 percent of Alabama’s voting age population. Under the Congressional District Map sought to be used by Alabama, a state with a long history of extreme Black voter suppression, Alabama drew the congressional district lines in a manner so that only one district out of seven would have a majority of Blacks.
Challengers to this map asked for lines to be redrawn so that there will be two (2) voting districts that are comprised of a Black majority. For the maps to be drawn in a manner that does not “dilute” the voting power of Blacks, the districts should have been proportional to the ratio of Blacks (the racial minority), i.e., approximately 27 percent of Alabama’s voting age population, to percentage of the White majority. i.e., 63 percent. In Merrill v. Milligan, et al., the case currently before the US Supreme Court, Alabama is vigorously opposing redrawing the lines so that even 2 of the districts will have a Black majority of voters.
The Dilution of Voting Power for Blacks Is a Serious Issue.
In spite of the Congressional District Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the dilution of voting power for persons of color continues. The issue of drawing of district lines for Congressional Districts is currently before the Supreme Court and subject of the case in Merrill v. Mulligan.
On January 24, 2022, the district court preliminarily blocked Alabama’s new congressional map, finding that the map was substantially likely to violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and ordered the Alabama legislature to create a second Black opportunity district in time for the 2022 midterm elections.
However, the state of Alabama appealed the decision of the court. On February 7, 2022, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case but stayed the lower court’s judgment pending appeal, thereby mandating use of the original, only one Black majority district out of seven districts. So Alabama essentially won as to this 2022 mid-term election cycle by having the map be used for the 2022 midterms.
Civil rights advocates are concerned about the dilution of the voting power of Black Alabama voters for the 2022 midterm elections. The outcome of the 2022 midterm elections may affect rights of Alabamans for many years to come.
Alabama essentially won as to this 2022 mid-term election cycle by having the map it drew be used for the 2022 midterms.
Although the final decision in Merrill v. Milligan has not yet been rendered as to whether this redistricting map that the State of Alabama had drawn, may be used in the future, Alabama essentially won as to its application in the 2022 midterm election cycle by having the map it wants be used for the 2022 midterms.
No Matter What State You Live In, Voting Rights Affect Numerous Civil Rights Including Your Rights as an Employee
When voters cast their votes for their elected officials, they are voting for their representatives who will ultimately draft, promote and vote on passing laws that expand their rights as an employee or diminish them. When you cast your vote for elected officials, you are casting your vote for your representatives who will draft, promote and vote on passing laws that expand your rights as an employee or diminish them. These are laws that establish legal rights for employees who are members of a protected class, such as race, gender, disability, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, members of the Armed Forces, etc. The laws also define the classes that are legally protected from job discrimination. The laws your elected representative pass also set the minimum wage, overtime rules, and other wage payment and protections.
Do Not Sit on Your Rights. If You Quit Your Job, You May Lose Right to Prevail in a Lawsuit.
In many instances of discrimination, if you quit your job, you may lose right to prevail in a lawsuit unless you first take certain legally required measures to preserve your job while you are still employed. If you are thinking of quitting, or think you will be fired, you should contact this office immediately to discuss your options in the safest way for you.
What You Can Do
Let me fight for you. I am an aggressive and compassionate employment law attorney who is experienced in successfully representing employees who were discriminated against by employers. If you are thinking of resigning, or think you will be terminated, or were terminated, it is important that you consult with an attorney who is experienced in discrimination, retaliation and whistleblower law.
If you think you may have been discriminated against, contact Hope A. Lang, Attorney at Law today for a free consultation. I accept discrimination and whistleblower cases from all over New Jersey.
If you have been demoted, had your hours cut, terminated, harassed or been subjected to retaliation for complaining about, objecting to, refusing to participate in, or reporting what you believe is your employer’s illegal or improper conduct, you should contact this law firm as soon as possible. I am successful in bringing whistleblower and discrimination lawsuits against governmental entities and private employers and recovering money for workers.
Hope A. Lang, Attorney at Law represents workers throughout the entire state, including Hackensack, Jersey City, Newark, Irvington, Orange, East Orange, Trenton, Paterson, Montclair, Elizabeth, North Brunswick, Union, Plainfield, Lakewood, Edison and in every county including Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Ocean, Union, Camden, Passaic, and Morris.
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