Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Alabama’s voting rights case, other states in the South will now be required to comply with the Voting Rights Act, according to John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The outcome was a relief for many who feared a different decision, which could have led to a different direction.
The recent Supreme Court ruling in Alabama is likely to reverse the apathy embedded in the state, regardless of political beliefs. Residents in Alabama felt that their votes were insignificant in determining election outcomes. Democrat and African American Senate Minority Leader, Bobby Singleton, believes that it is “a great day in Alabama,” but also acknowledges that there is still racism in the region.
Robyn Hyden, the Executive Director of Alabama Arise – which supports policies beneficial to impoverished residents – had her reservations about the Supreme Court’s ruling, but agreed that their arguments were sound. The case was made stronger by the geography of the Seventh Congressional District – which is represented by Democrat Terri Sewell and covers a large portion of the state. Hyden argues that Birmingham and Montgomery have been heavily gerrymandered, holding back political representation in the region.
Richard Fausset and Bryant K. Oden contributed to this report.
