A group of civil rights organizations recently announced that they have taken legal action on behalf of two voters regarding a racially discriminatory electoral map.
The Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, and the Harvard Election Law Clinic announced in a press release that they have all filed a joint lawsuit alleging that the DeSoto County, Mississippi electoral map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Filed on behalf of the DeSoto County NAACP and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. alongside the voters, they argued that the voting power of Black Mississippi citizens is being diminished, giving them less access to elected representatives that they would like to see in the office.
Although they make up over 30% of the county’s population, Black DeSoto County residents have no representation in the state’s current governmental bodies; no Black county holders or candidates have been put into power since the electoral map’s creation.
Originally put into place in 1964, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act protects voters from voting dilution by ensuring they have the right to seek judicial help in resolving any limitations states or local governments put into place regarding their rights.
In their official statements, leaders of the organizations emphasized the fact that Black voters in DeSoto County have the right to defend themselves and ensure they are being represented by local officials.
“DeSoto County’s racially discriminatory redistricting plan denies Black DeSoto residents their fundamental right to elect representatives invested in their unique needs,” said Amir Badat, Voting Special Counsel at LDF per their release. “This dangerously impacts the quality of life for Black DeSoto residents, creating inequities in everything from housing access to educational opportunities.”
The filing of the new lawsuit comes amidst attacks on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Earlier last month, the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Section 2 does not allow multiracial coalitions to take legal action against cities located in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Known as the Petteway v. Galveston County case, the coalition of voters attempted to legally defend themselves against racially discriminatory redistricting plans. With their ruling, the conservative appeals reversed its previous decision to allow the creation of the coalition.
In a statement, the Legal Defense Fund reacted to the decision, advocating for more action from Congress.
“This decision trounces decades of precedent and deprives multiracial communities of their day in court to challenge discriminatory redistricting and defend their right to a more just political process,” said the Legal Defense Fund. “We call on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and we implore everyone eligible to vote to cast their ballots this fall. Your vote is your voice, and we urge you to use that voice to claim your political power.”
