TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On June 8, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld in Allen v. Milligan a lower court ruling that Alabama must create a second majority Black congressional district in compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In reaction to this momentous ruling, the League of Women Voters of Florida, an organizational plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the Florida’s Congressional map, releases the following statement:
“This ruling is a powerful declaration that Black voices will no longer be ignored. The Supreme Court has affirmed the crucial role of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in ensuring that states cannot dilute the political power of Black communities during the redistricting process and that Black voters must have the opportunity to elect the leaders of their choice. The Voting Rights Act was created to provide a safe passage to Black Americans to escape the beatings by local police, lynchings, home burnings, threats, and targeted violence just because they wanted to vote. It stands as one of shining glories guaranteeing the right to the franchise.Today, legislators are using different tools to block the Black vote, but this ruling reinforces these protections. The League of Women Voters of Florida is hopeful this ruling regarding Alabama sets a strong precedent in regards to our challenge to Florida’s current unconstitutional Congressional map.”