Overview
In late July 2025, a three‑judge federal panel will hear arguments on whether Alabama should be “bailed in” under Section 3(c) of the Voting Rights Act—requiring the state to obtain federal approval for any new congressional maps until the 2030 Census. This follows a 2023 ruling that Alabama’s map diluted Black voting power in violation of Section 2, and plaintiffs argue that bail‑in is the only avenue to restore real oversight.
What to Watch For
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July 29 Hearing: Monitor the Fifth Circuit’s oral argument to gauge the court’s appetite for reinscribing preclearance AP News.
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DOJ Position: The Department of Justice briefed against bail‑in, but watch for potential amicus briefs from civil‑rights groups like NAACP LDF and the Brennan Center Legal Defense Fund.
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State Response: Alabama’s Attorney General will likely push a narrow interpretation; track any new legislative proposals to tighten map‑drawing rules preemptively AP News.
Lessons & Actions
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Draft State‑Level Bail‑In Laws: Model after California’s SB 4 by requiring any election‑law change to clear a non‑partisan state board first Alabama Reflector.
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Build Data‑Driven Records: Commission demographic analyses to support bail‑in motions—showing map changes’ disparate impacts Brennan Center for Justice.
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Coalition Briefings: Host joint briefings with Tribal, Latino, and disability‐rights advocates to demonstrate cross‑community support for bail‑in oversight American Civil Liberties Union.
