Alabama Congressional District Maps and the Journey to the Supreme Court
Presentation Category
Leadership and Management
General Session Description
Alabama in 2023 was at the heart of the Congressional voting map debate, with Mr. Milligan being the named plaintiff on the case that went to the Supreme Court. Hear from Mr. Milligan himself about the journey to the Supreme Court where they ruled Alabama had diluted the power of Black voters. Below is a quote from the New York Times regarding the case: "The Supreme Court, in a surprise decision, ruled on Thursday that Alabama had diluted the power of Black voters in drawing a congressional voting map, reaffirming a landmark civil rights law that had been thought to be in peril. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has often voted to restrict voting rights and is generally skeptical of race-conscious decision making by the government, wrote the majority opinion in the 5-to-4 ruling, stunning election-law experts. In agreeing that race may play a role in redistricting, the chief justice was joined by Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and the court’s three liberal members, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson." Hear Mr. Milligan talk about the use of GIS and Census data to prove there should be at least 2 voting districts that give Black Alabamians the power of choice for representation.
Start Date
3-31-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
3-31-2026 10:30 AM
Alabama Congressional District Maps and the Journey to the Supreme Court
Alabama in 2023 was at the heart of the Congressional voting map debate, with Mr. Milligan being the named plaintiff on the case that went to the Supreme Court. Hear from Mr. Milligan himself about the journey to the Supreme Court where they ruled Alabama had diluted the power of Black voters. Below is a quote from the New York Times regarding the case: "The Supreme Court, in a surprise decision, ruled on Thursday that Alabama had diluted the power of Black voters in drawing a congressional voting map, reaffirming a landmark civil rights law that had been thought to be in peril. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who has often voted to restrict voting rights and is generally skeptical of race-conscious decision making by the government, wrote the majority opinion in the 5-to-4 ruling, stunning election-law experts. In agreeing that race may play a role in redistricting, the chief justice was joined by Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and the court’s three liberal members, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson." Hear Mr. Milligan talk about the use of GIS and Census data to prove there should be at least 2 voting districts that give Black Alabamians the power of choice for representation.