The special session of the Alabama Legislature on redistricting was a lot like former Democrat Gov. George Wallace’s “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” in 1963 to stop the integration of the University of Alabama, according to the SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum.
"Jeffrey from Georgia" called in to ask Finebaum on The Paul Finebaum Show on Tuesday, “Why do you think the President of the University of Alabama and Auburn University President, the head coaches have not spoke out regarding what the Governor and the state legislature are doing to the black’s districts and preventing them from getting their representation?”
A three-judge panel in federal district court in January 2022 found Alabama's congressional map passed in 2021 likely unconstitutional and said a "remedial plan will need to include two districts in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it." The Supreme Court affirmed the judges' opinion on appeal by the state of Alabama in June. Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law a remedial plan passed by House and Senate Republicans last week that includes one majority-minority congressional district and one district with a 40% black voting-age population.
"The Supreme Court of the United States ruled recently that the state legislature in Alabama needs to redistrict the congressional districts because of discrimination and unfair practices against minorities," Finebaum said on his show on Tuesday. "If I remember reading the story correctly, the state legislature refused to do it. My understanding of civics is that the federal government is ultimately going to win this battle. This sounds very much like 1963 and George Wallace in the schoolhouse door."
Finebaum continued, "To me if the Supreme Court gives you an edict whether you like it or not, it's incumbent upon the state to act and react."
"It's also a prickly situation for the presidents of those two schools who depend entirely, as you know, on that very same state legislature for funding. Doesn't make it right. I'm just stating a fact," Finebaum said.
A federal court judge has set a deadline of Friday for objections to the new map. Left-wing advocacy groups and Democrats are expected to object. A federal court hearing with a three-judge panel to decide whether the map passed by Republicans last week will stand for the 2024 election is set for August 14 at the Hugo L. Black Federal Court House in Birmingham.
"Following the U.S. Supreme Court order, I called the Alabama Legislature into a special session to readdress our congressional map. The Legislature knows our state, our people and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups, and I am pleased that they answered the call, remained focused and produced new districts ahead of the court deadline," Ivey said in a statement after signing the proposal into law last week.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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