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DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMESSAGING &NARRATIVE GUIDANCE ALLEN V. MILLIGAN (Formerly Merrill v. Milligan)Revised 1/3/25 at 5:30 p.m.GEARING UP FOR TRIAL:THE FIGHT FOR FAIRMAPS CONTINUES2025The Allen v. Milligan trial will start onFebruary 10th, 2025 in District Court

TABLE OF CONTENTSTimeline1Allen v. Milligan Trial2Federal Court Selects Fair Mapfor 2024 Election5Special Master Submits 3Possible Maps6Response to Remedial Map4New Fair Map used in 2024Election3Federal Judges HearArguments Against Unfair MapPassed by AL Legislators7

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMilligan v. Merrillfiled against state ofAlabama allegingVRA section 2violation inCongressional maps.Nov. 16, 20213-Judge panel rulesCongressional likely violateSection 2 of VRA, ordersnew map to be drawn.Jan. 24, 2022Supreme Court hearsoral arguments. Theirruling on this casecould bring changes to VRA.Oct. 4, 2022How did we get here?AlabamaLegislatureapprovesCongressional,Legislative andBoardof Education mapsNov. 3, 2021Supreme Court issuesstay in a 5-4 rulingallowingCongressional map tobe in place for 2022election.Feb. 7, 2022The Supreme Courtissued a 5-4 decisionthat leaves Section 2of the VRA intact andaffirmed the lowercourt’s decision thatstruck down theAlabama’s 2021congressional map. June 8, 2023How Alabama's Congressional maps were made fairAlabama Legislatorspass a newcongressional mapthat is not VRAcompliantJuly 21, 20233-Judge panel rejectslegislator drawn map,orders court appointedcartographer to draw newVRA compliant map bySept 25th, 2023Sept. 5, 2023District court choosesVRA compliant“Remedial Map 3” asAlabama’s newcongressional mapOct. 5, 2023US District Courtgives AlabamaLegislators until July21st to pass a newcongressional mapwith two majority-minority districtsJun. 16, 2023Supreme Court rejectsAlabama’s appeal tostop new maps frombeing drawnSept. 26, 2023For the first time inAlabama’s history,minority voters willelect their candidateof choice in twoCongressionaldistricts.Nov 5, 2024Trial begins in Allen v. MilliganFeb. 10, 2025

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KThey Better GetThese Lines Right!DownloadGraphics“They Better Get These Lines Right” is Alabama Values’s web series on allthings census and redistricting, including updates from across the South. Watch Videos

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAllen v. Milligan Trial BeginsFebruary 10, 2025

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KKeeping Our Eyes on the Ball: Trial on AL Map starts Feb 10, 2025"...a U.S. House seat, if you can keep it."Voting rights movement in Alabama marks a milestone todayThe United States District Court of Northern Alabama has setthe Allen v. Milligan trial start date for February 10, 2025. This district court is the same court that has deliberated andruled on the Allen v. Milligan case since 2021. The trial will be focused on the Congressional map passed bythe Alabama Legislature on July 21 2023. The Legislative map (also called Livingston Plan 3) did NOTcreate two districts where Black voters had the power tochoose their representation. Due to the urgency in conducting the 2024 election, theDistrict Court issued an injunction on September 5, 2023which prevented the Secretary of State from using the unfairLegislative-drawn map and ordered the court-appointedcartographer to submit a remedial map. The Nov 5 2024 election is taking place under the courtappointed remedial map, which established a 2ndCongressional District extending from Mobile County throughthe southern Black Belt region to the Georgia border. Thisdistrict will have a Black Voting Age Population (BVAP) of48.7%. Additionally, the plan creates a 7th CongressionalDistrict in the western Black Belt and Jefferson County,featuring a BVAP of 51.9%.The outcome of the trial will determine if Alabamians are ableto keep the fair map for future elections or if we will lose it.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNew Fair Map used in 2024 Election November 5, 2024

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KHistoric Win: For the first time in history, Alabama will havetwo Black U.S. House members servingtogetherThanks to the Allen v. Milligan court case, Black voters had thepower to choose their representation in two Congressionaldistricts, Congressional District 7 and the new CongressionalDistrict 2. On November 5th, Congressional District 2 chose ShomariFigures as their new representative, and CongressionalDistrict 7 re-elected incumbent Terri Sewell.As a result, Alabama will have two Black U.S. House membersserving together for the first time in the state’s history. SHOMARIFIGURESShomari Figures served as deputy chief of staffand counselor to Attorney general MerrickGarland in the Department of Justice. He alsoworked in the Obama Administration and servedas a White House Liaison at the Department ofJustice. Figures is from mobile, and graduated from theUniversity of Alabama with a bachelors degreein criminal justice & history in 2006 and a J.D.from UA school of Law in 2010.Meet Representative ShomariFigures

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews Coverage of CD2 Historic WinFor 1st time in history, Alabama will have two Black U.S. House membersserving togetherShomari Figures Wins Historic District 2 RaceAlabama Public Radio premiers documentary on the new CongressionalDistrict 2: "...a U.S. House seat, if you can keep it."After defeat, Alabama Republicans mull challenging new congressionaldistrictsFigures defeats Dobson in Alabama’s competitive Congressional District 2raceClosing hospitals, lost healthcare major concern for new AlabamaCongressman Figures

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAlabama’s first competitive congressionalrace in 14 yearsOn November 5 2024, Alabama will have a historic election.For the first time in Alabama’s history, Black voters have thepower to choose their representation in two Congressionaldistricts, Congressional District 7 and the new CongressionalDistrict 2.This opportunity came after a long hard fight to get a faircongressional map for all Alabamians- a fight that went allthe way to the Supreme Court in Allen v. Milligan.Because of our new fair map, Alabama has a competitivecongressional race for the first time in 14 years. In fact,Congressional District 2 is the most competitive race on theballot! Fair maps mean voters get real choices.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KCongressional District 2 CandidatesSHOMARIFIGURESCAROLEENEDOBSONShomari Figures served as deputy chief of staffand counselor to Attorney general MerrickGarland in the Department of Justice. He alsoworked in the Obama Administration and servedas a White House Liaison at the Department ofJustice. Figures is from mobile, and graduated from theUniversity of Alabama with a bachelors degreein criminal justice & history in 2006 and a J.D.from UA school of Law in 2010.Caroleene Dobson is a real estate attorney fromMontgomery, joining Maynard Nexsen in 2019.Before then, she worked and lived in Texas,practicing law in San Antonio as a commercialreal estate attorney.Dobson earned a bachelor's degree fromHarvard University and a law degree from theBaylor School of Law.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews Coverage of CD2 ElectionFigures, Dobson to face off in November general electionOpinion | Caroleene Dobson’s true Alabama storyDobson faces scrutiny over ancestral ties to slaveowners, KKK leadershipAlabama congressional District 2 race readies for AL.com debate with a lot at stakeFigures, Dobson face off in congressional debateMontgomery County Board of Registrars: 4,600 people received erroneousvoting informationBrighton precinct to stay open later Tuesday due to ballot issueHow Alabama’s 2nd congressional district plays a role in determining controlof the U.S. HouseSocial Media Outages on Super Tuesday Impact Access to Critical VoterInformationNew Black Districts Could Mean New Representation in Alabama, Louisiana2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson head togeneral electionRepublicans still have ‘fighting chance’ to hold Alabama’s redrawn District 2,experts sayAlabama congressional district redrawn to better represent Black voterssparks competitive race‘The war is in the South’: Alabama illustrates America’s ongoing fightfor voting rightsAs March 5 primary election nears, some voters are still unaware of District 2change

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAt least 21 candidates qualify forAlabama 2nd Congressional DistrictraceThe race to fill Alabama’s new 2nd Congressional District will be acrowded one.At least 21 candidates – 13 Democrats and eight Republicans – hadentered the race by the time qualifying ended at 5 p.m. on Friday.As of 5 p.m. Friday, the Democratic candidates were:James Averhart, a retired U.S. Marine and former 2020 congressionalcandidate;Rep. Napoleon Bracy, Jr., D-Prichard;Sen. Merika Coleman, D- Pleasant Grove;House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville;Shomari Figures, a former deputy chief of staff to the U.S. attorneygeneral and the son of Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile;Brian Gary;Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham;Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika;Phyllis Harvey-Hall, an education consultant and 2020 and 2022congressional candidate;Willie J. Lenard;Vimal Patel, a realtor;Larry Darnell Simpson, a musician;Darryl Sinkfield.At least eight Republicans are vying for the seat. Qualified candidatesare: Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore;former Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road;Caroleene Dobson, an attorney;Karla M. DuPriest, a business owner and 2022 U.S. Senate candidate;Wallace Gilberry, a former University of Alabama and NFL footballplayer;Hampton Harris, a realtor;Stacey T. Shepperson;Belinda Thomas, a member of the Newton City Council in Dale County.Read More fromThe AlabamaReflector

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KResponse to Remedial MapOctober 2023 to Early 2024

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews Coverage Post Remedial MapFederal court declines to dismiss Alabama redistricting case after SouthCarolina ruling“It Goes Back To Redistricting:” Black Voters and the Fight for FairRepresentation Federal Court Rejects Republican Call To Weaken Voting Rights ActLessons From the Women Leading Today’s Fight for Voting RightsRepublican Attorneys General Attack Voting Rights Act in Latest Amicus BriefIn new congressional district, Black voters weigh what representation really meansWhy the US Supreme Court’s Landmark Allen v. Milligan Ruling Still Matters TodayFormer AG Eric Holder releases statement on 1st anniversary of Allen v. MilliganIt Starts with Maps – And Ends With Oppressive LawsRedistricting fights across South put future of Voting Rights Act in thespotlight againSupreme Court ruling 1 year ago today changed Alabama’s congressional mapAlabama must pay $5.25 million to the lawyers who sued over redistrictingState to pay $3M in plaintiffs’ attorney fees in Congressional redistricting suit3 States, 3 Plaintiffs, and the Fight for Fair District Maps

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KFederal Court Selects Fair Mapfor 2024 ElectionOctober 5, 2023

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KFederal court selects Remedial Plan 3A federal court has mandated theimplementation of a new congressional mapfor Alabama, designed by a court-appointedspecial master. The map, referred to asRemedial Plan 3, has been created toestablish a majority-Black district and ablack opportunity district.In a comprehensive 49-page opinionreleased on Thursday, U.S. Circuit JudgeStanley Marcus and U.S. district judges AnnaManasco and Terry Moorer articulated thatRemedial Plan 3 effectively addresses theirconcerns regarding the empowerment ofBlack voters in the political process while alsoconsidering the Legislature's goal ofpreserving the integrity of communities.The judges' ruling has significant implicationsincluding giving black potentially leading tothe election of a second Democratic U.S.representative from Alabama. This will giveblack voters in District 7 and District 2 theopportunity to elect candidates of theirchoice. This decision comes at theculmination of an almost two-year legalbattle known as Allen v. Milligan, which hasreached the nation's highest court not once,but twice. The newly adopted plan, crafted by SpecialMaster Richard Allen, establishes a 2ndCongressional District extending from MobileCounty through the southern Black Beltregion to the Georgia border. This district willhave a Black Voting Age Population (BVAP) of48.7%. Additionally, the plan creates a 7thCongressional District in the western BlackBelt and Jefferson County, featuring a BVAPof 51.9%.DownloadGraphics

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews coverageFederal court selects new Alabama congressional mapFederal court makes final selection on 2024 congressional mapsThree-judge federal court picks Alabama congressional mapFederal judges pick new Alabama congressional map to boost Black votingpowerCourt picks new Alabama congressional map that heightens Black votingpowerCourt picks new Alabama congressional map that will likely flip one seat toDemocrats

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews storiesFederal court will ‘rule shortly’ on Alabama’s new congressional mapFederal court to ‘rule shortly’ on Alabama’s new congressional district mapFederal court to soon decide new Alabama Congressional mapAV recapJudges expected to announce decision on Alabama’s Congressional map in coming days

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews storiesSupreme Court declines to revisit Alabama Voting DisputeSupreme Court rejects Alabama’s attempt to avoid creating a second Black majority congressional districtSupreme Court refuses to revive Alabama’s GOP-drawn congressionalmapU.S. Supreme Court denies stay in redistricting challenge: Marshall, LaCour big losers

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KSpecial Master Submits 3Possible MapsSeptember 25, 2023

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KCourt appointed special master submits3 mapsA special master has proposed three potential maps to remedyAlabama’s violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, drawing in eacha second district in which Black voters could potentially elect a candidateof their choice.The first of the three maps hues closely to the plaintiffs’ remedial plan,which plaintiff Shalela Dowdy was happy to see. She said the plaintiffs arestill reviewing the other two proposed maps, which stray further from theirproposed map.“Just looking at the other two maps, I’m happy that Mobile is included inall three maps,” said Dowdy, a Mobile resident. “I feel we’ve been left outwhen it comes to proper representation.”Remedial Plan 1 is the only map of the three proposed that gives Blackvoters an actual second majority-minority district with a 50.1 percentBlack voting age population in District 2. The other two maps come justunder at about 48.5 percent—still much higher than the 40 percent BVAPin the Alabama Legislature’s version of District 2. Read moreAlabama redistricting: Special master submits three proposed congressional mapsSpecial master in Alabama redistricting case proposes three House maps in a closely watched voting rights fight

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMap 1

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMap 2

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMap 3

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KFederal Court Rejects Alabama’sAppeal to Halt Map Drawing

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KIn Alabama, federal panel rejects appealstate’s request to postpone creatingnew maps On Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, a three-judge panel rejected a request from AlabamaSecretary of State Wes Allen. He had asked them to postpone their decision to have aspecial expert create new maps for the state's congressional districts.The judges - U.S. Circuit Court Judge Stanley Marcus, along with U.S. District Courtjudges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer - explained that they didn't see any goodreason to delay their ruling from September 5th. They pointed out that if they didn'tact now, it would harm the people who brought the lawsuit (the plaintiffs) becausethey'd have to deal with these unfair maps until at least 2026. The judges also said that the Secretary of State didn't provide a good reason fordelaying this decision. In fact, they said he didn't provide any good reason at all whypeople in Alabama should have to wait so long to vote with fair congressionaldistricts.Now, the state has taken the next step and quickly appealed this decision to the U.S.Supreme Court. They want the higher court to stop the lower court's order from goinginto effect. The state's argument is that if they don't get a delay, they won't haveenough time to appeal properly before the court-drawn maps replace the currentones. The state's appeal is asking for a decision from the Supreme Court by October 1st.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNews Coverage of federal court’srejection of Alabama’s requestFederal court won’t delay Alabama redistricting order; state appeals to U.S. Supreme CourtThree-judge federal court denies Alabama’s stay of special master in redistricting caseJudges refuse a stay in Alabama’s redistricting caseAlabama asks Supreme Court to halt lower-court order for new congressional map

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KFederal Judges Hear Arguments AgainstUnfair Map Passed by AL LegislatorAugust 14, 2023

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KThree judge panel holds hearingon new mapJudge asks Alabama state lawyer if Legislature defied court’s order on 2nd BlackdistrictFederal judges express frustration with Alabama attorneys over congressional mapWhy Alabama’s Congressional Maps May Need to Be Redrawn, AgainAlabama argues its new standards — not SCOTUS order — should dictate congressional mapredrawFederal judges review Alabama’s new congressional map, lack of 2nd majority-Black districtAV recap: Three-judge panel questions state about ignoring court mandate to create secondmajority black Congressional district

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KWhat to know about Monday'shearingsClick here for graphics

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KIn the news this weekOpinion | Alabama tries to disregard the Voting Right Act — and the courtsAlabama Republicans frame redistricting case as threat to political powerUpcoming decision on Alabama redistricting lawsuit could affect other statesIn a Landmark Voting Case, Philanthropy and Nonprofits Were Crucial Players. Now We Need to Do More60 Years Later, Alabama Lawmakers Defy the U.S. Supreme Court AgainAlabama redistricting: Democrats balk as Republicans defend newly redrawn map

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAlabama Legislators Openly DefyDistrict Court and Supreme CourtInstructionsJuly 2023

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAlabama redistricting: Statesays two majority-minorityBlack districts would beunconstitutionalClick here to read

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNew cartographer appointed inAlabama CaseCartographer appointed in Alabama congressional redistricting caseAlabama congressional map: Federal court won’t let state relitigateVoting Rights ActWatch NOW: Wrap up video from Special SessionCLICK HERE TO VIEW SOCIAL GRAPHICS AROUND NEW CARTOGRAPHER

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KHeading back to courtAlabama’s redistricting fight heads for another court showdown –with control of US House potentially on the lineMap maker in Alabama Congressional district case withdrawsOpinion | Alabama’s redistricting effort was worse than it seemedFederal court seeks new map expert in Alabama congressionaldistricts caseHow Alabama could get away with defying the Supreme CourtAlabama redistricting creates test for Supreme Court’s authorityFinebaum: Alabama redistricting like ‘George Wallace in theschoolhouse door’Plaintiffs divided in redistricting case, motion filed to exclude Singleton partiesCourt to check if new congressional map in Alabama weakens thepower of Black voters

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KLegislature's plan to defySCOTUS, gut Section 2Inside Alabama Republicans’ plan to overturn Section 2 of the VotingRights Act

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KState passes maps withoutsecond majority-minoritydistrictWatch Evan Milligan's interview on MSNBC The fight over Alabama's congressional map goes back to courtAlabama Republicans spark another legal fight by not creating 2ndmajority-Black districtHow Alabama Defied the Supreme Court on Racial GerrymanderingOpinion | The court must restore justice and fairness to AlabamaNational Redistricting Foundation to challenge new mapOpinion | Alabama makes a further mess of congressional districtingAlabama Legislature passes controversial congressional mapCourt to check if new congressional map in Alabama weakens thepower of Black voters

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KConference Committee MapThe Conference Committee met and gave approval for a newCongressional Map. It is the Livingston Congressional Plan 3-2023. The BVAP in the proposed 2nd congressional district is 39.93% and itwill be 50.65% in the second Congressional district.Milligan Plaintiffs Denounce Alabama’s Congressional Map that Violates the VotingRights Act of 1965 and Supreme Court OrderPlaintiff's Reaction Release

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMaps headed to conferencecommittee 07.20.2023Alabama Legislature nears final vote on controversialcongressional mapsHouse, Senate redistricting plans on a conference committeecollision courseAlabama lawmakers are divided on eve of major redistrictingdeadline impacting Black votersLegislative recap 07.20.23

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KDueling maps pass out of House,Senate on 7.19.23Alabama legislature passes redistricting maps that Democratssay defy court orderRedistricting: Alabama Senate approves congressional map with 1majority Black districtAlabama House approves redistricting map despite pushbackfrom DemocratsAlabama Republicans pitch congressional map with onemajority-Black district, even though the Supreme Courtmandated twoParamore, Flowers comment on redistrictingHouse recap 07.19.23Senate recap 07.19.23

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KThe Map Redrawing ProcessUnderwayReapportionment Committee Recap June 27As Alabama special session starts, no clear picture ofcongressional map proposalsCommittee holds second hearing on redistricting mapsMaps released by Rep. Chris EnglandWatch: Alabama House State Government Committee Meeting(07/18/2023)

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KE-NEWS BLASTSJuly 17 - Reapportionment Committee Meets Today, UpdatedTimeline for Redistricting in AlabamaJuly 3 - Updated Timeline for Redistricting in Alabama: 2ndPublic Hearing, Special Session called for July 17thJune 27 - Back to the drawing board: ReapportionmentCommittee holds first public hearing on redrawingCongressional mapsJune 15 - We Won Allen v Milligan! What Happens Next?Sign up for our eNews to receive rapid response updates.bit.ly/sessionupdates

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KReapportionment Committeepasses mapAlabama legislative committee choosesredistricting mapCommittee approves map uniting GulfCoast, splitting Black BeltNEWS COVERAGEAlabama Legislative Committee AdvancesMap That Ignores SCOTUS Ruling, AgainDiluting Black PowerAlabama Legislative Committee AdvancesMap That Ignores SCOTUS Ruling, AgainDiluting Black PowerCongressional map with 1 majority Blackdistrict favored by GOP

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KSecond map added to mixAlabama House, Senate GOP approvetwo separate congressional mapsHouse, Senate approve different maps.Neither create a second majority-minority districtNEWS COVERAGERedistricting: Will Alabama do enough to fixVoting Rights violation on map?Alabama's Proposed Congressional Map IsStill Biased Against Black VotersAlabama Republicans reject call for 2ndmajority Black district, despite SupremeCourt ruling

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KTHE FIGHT FOR FAIRMAPS CONTINUESIn Milligan, The plaintiffs say the state violated theVoting Rights Act, and a three-judge panel agreed, butthe state refused to redraw lines, and instead appealedto SCOTUS and a ruling is expected by June 30. Thecurrent congressional maps limit the ability for Blackvoters to elect an additional member of Congress in astate where Black people are 27% of the state’spopulation ALLEN V. MILLIGANA similar fight is taking place in Louisiana. The state’s Blackpopulation makes up nearly a third of the state’s population,but the state legislature packed the majority of those votersinto a single Congressional district. A federal district court andthe Fifth Circuit both agreed that the gerrymandered mapslikely violated the VRA, but the Supreme Court intervened andreinstated the discriminatory map. Robinson v. Ardoin isawaiting the outcome of the Allen v. Milligan case. Theplaintiffs are represented by the NAACP-LDF and the ACLU.ROBINSON V. ARDOIN (SIMILAR FIGHT)The plaintiffs include Evan Milligan, Shalela Dowdy,Letetia Jackson, Khadidah Stone, Greater BirminghamMinistries, and Alabama State Conference of theNAACP. They are represented by the NAACP-LDF and theACLU. Power Coalition forEquity and JusticeNAACP LouisianaState ConferencePress Robinson, Edgar Cage,Dorothy Nairne, Edwin Rene Soule,Alice Washington, Clee EarnestLowe, Davante Lewis, Martha Davis,and Ambrose SimsPlaintiffsPlaintiffs(FORMERLY MERRILL V. MILLIGAN)

Milligan TimelineMaps passedNovember 3, 2021Alabama Legislature approvesCongressional, Legislative and Board ofEducation maps. Case filedNovember 16, 2021Milligan v. Merrill filed against state of Alabama allegingVRA section 2 violation in Congressional maps.Panel decidesJanuary 24, 20223-Judge panel rules Congressional likely violate Section2 of VRA, orders new map to be drawn.SCOTUS staysFebruary 7, 2022Supreme Court issues stay in a 5-4 ruling allowing theCongressional map to be in place for 2022 election.SCOTUS hearsOctober 4, 2022Supreme Court heard the case, which could bringchanges to VRA.SCOTUS rulesJune 8, 2023SCOTUS decides Allen v Milligan, returns the case to USDistrict Court of Northern Alabama (Three Judge Panel)Continued on next pageDUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C K

Milligan TimelineFederal courtissues deadlineJune 16, 2023US District Court gives AlabamaLegislators until July 21st to pass a newcongressional mapFirst Public HearingJune 27, 2023Redistricting specialsession beginsJuly 17, 2023The Alabama Reapportionment Committee passed theCommunity of Interest Plan in a 14-6 vote on July 17,which was also the first day of the redistricting specialsession. Maps due to courtJuly 21, 2023New congressional redistricting map due to Federalcourt. Hearing on mapsAugust 14, 2023If plaintiffs challenge the new map, the district courthas a hearing date already set for Aug 14th. DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C K1:30 p.m. at the Alabama State House in Room 200.Public testimony will be taken. Map submission deadlineJuly 7, 2023All proposed maps must be submitted to thereapportionment committee by this date. Second Public HearingJuly 13, 20231:30 p.m. at the Alabama State House in Room 200.Public testimony will be taken.

Milligan TimelineCourt orders specialmaster to draw maps September 5, 2023A federal three-judge panel struck down Alabama’ssecond attempt at creating a fair Congressional map.Three-judge panelrejects request to haltmapSeptember 11, 2023Court hearing setOctober 3, 2023The federal three-judge panel will consider the mapssubmitted by the special master it appointed. We are here.DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KA federal three-judge panel rejected the state ofAlabama’s attempt to delay the map ordered tobe drawn by the court. Maps due to courtSeptember 25, 2023The court-appointed special master has until Sept. 25,2023 to submit maps that remedy the Section 2 violation. State files appealwith SCOTUSSeptember 11, 2023The state of Alabama filed an appeal with SCOTUS tohalt the maps being produced by a special master.

Ardoin TimelineMaps passedFebruary 18, 2022Gov. vetoesMarch 9, 2022VetooverriddenMarch 30, 2022SCOTUS staysJune 28, 2022SCOTUS dismissesstate's appeal June 26, 2023DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KThe Louisiana legislature approved congressionaldistrict map plans and proposed district boundariesfor both the state House and state Senate.Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoes the maps. Maps become law as Louisiana legislature overridesBel Edwards' veto. Federal courtstrikes downJune 6, 2022Federal court struck down Louisiana's congressionalmaps and orders the maps to be redrawn. State appealsJune 9-12, 2022Federal appeals court denies state’s request to stay districtcourt's ruling, allowing order overturning map to take effect.SCOTUS allows maps to stay in place pending Allen v.Milligan case decision. SCOTUS dismisses Louisiana's appeal in Ardoin v. Robinson,paving the way for a second majority-minority district.

Ardoin TimelineHalt liftedJune 26, 2023Injunction hearingcleared to take place July 17, 2023Fifth Circuit Apppeal hearing October 6, 2023We are here.DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C Kthe U.S. Supreme Court lifted a temporary halt on thelawsuit, after pausing the Louisiana case while itconsidered a similar challenge toAlabama’s congressional map.the District Court ordered that the preliminary injunctionhearing to enact a new remedial congressional map that washeld up pending the Milligan decision would finally proceedInjuction hearing setOctober 3-5, 2023The court will determine how the state’s likely Section 2violation will be remedied and ultimately what congressionalmap will be in place for the 2024 elections. The 5th Circuit will hear the State of Louisiana’sappeal on blocking the maps. For more info on the Robinson case, visitlouisianacase.alvalues.org

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMessaging Components To IncludeMessaging Components To AvoidHopefulEmpathetic GenuineCulturally RelevantResilientAudience ConnectionFearHateCynicismTone DeafGenerational GapCentering inappropriate voicesCultural AppropriationDoom and GloomTipsOffer up examples of victorieswhere the Black community and communities ofcolor have persisted and won against the odds inyour state.Make a call to action that aligns withyour current workencourage citizens to register and vote; attend votereducation events, or encourage allies to join in an effortfor state voting rights lawsConnect racial gerrymandering to issuesof importance to your community such as gun safety, body autonomy, criminal justice,community resources, affordable housing; medicaidexpansion, education, etc.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KMedia & Legal ContactsLegalDeuel RossDross@naacpldf.org | 646-630-5353MediaLegalMediaElla Wileyewiley@naacpldf.org | 925-819-0555Davin Rosborough,drosborough@aclu.org | 703-380-0804Inga Sarda-Sorensen, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org | 347-514-3984,LegalMediaTish Gotell Faulks,tgfaulks@aclualabama.org | 334-420-1747Jose Vazquez, jvazquez@aclualabama.org | 415-770-9685It is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KPressReleases andStatements It is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs. ACLU Statement06/08/23LDF Statement SCOTUS Opinion Alabama Values and partners Combined Quote For Plaintiffs (approved by legal)"In 2021, Alabama lawmakers targeted Black voters by packing and cracking us so wecould not have a meaningful impact on the electoral process. They attempted to redefineSection 2 of the Voting Rights Act and shirk their responsibility to ensure communities ofcolor are given an equal opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. Today, theSupreme Court reminded them of that responsibility by affirming the district court’s orderthat a new map be drawn that complies with federal law – one that recognizes thediversity in our state rather than erasing it. This fight was won through generations ofBlack leaders who refused to be silent, and while much work is left, today we can moveforward with these reaffirmed protections civil rights leaders fought and died for.”Common Cause NC StatementSCSJ StatementAsian Americans Advancing Justice Statement Alabama Forward StatementBlack Voters Matter StatementNative American Rights Fund

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KPressReleases andStatements It is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.06/26/23LDF Statement SCOTUS orderNRF Statement

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNewscoverageIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.06/09/23Court ruling on Black political power in Alabama could affect maps in other states - NPRAlabama discriminated against Black voters, US supreme court rules - The Guardian Supreme Court rules in favor of Black Alabama voters in unexpected defense of VotingRights Act - The Associated PressSupreme Court orders voting maps redrawn in Alabama to accommodate Blackvoters in surprise ruling - CNN PoliticsSupreme Court Rules in Favor of Black Voters in Alabama Redistricting Case - TIMESupreme Court rules Alabama’s new congressional map violates Voting Rights Act- The New York PostSupreme Court Keeps Voting Rights Act Protections—Strikes Down Redrawn Alabama Map - ForbesSupreme Court Gives the Voting Rights Act a Tenuous New Lease on Life - The New York Times

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNewscoverageIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.06/14/23What happened in Alabama won’t stay in Alabama (and that’s a good thing for voters)- Reckon Media Unpacking the surprise win in the Allen v. Milligan SCOTUS case - MSNBCVoting Maps Throughout the Deep South May Be Redrawn After Surprise SupremeCourt Ruling - ProPublicaClarence Thomas wrote a scathing, nearly 50-page dissent about why the SupremeCourt should have gutted voting rights - InsiderLouisiana Gets a Shot at Fair Maps After Supreme Court Ruling in Allen v. Milligan -Democracy DocketFederal court calls Friday meeting over Alabama congressional maps - TheAlabama Reflector06/16/2023Federal court sets July 21 deadline for Alabama Legislature to draw newcongressional maps - The Alabama Reflector

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KNewscoverageIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.6/26/23Louisiana may have to redraw congressional map after Supreme Court decision - TheAssociated PressSupreme Court allows for Louisiana congressional map to be redrawn to add anothermajority-Black district - CNNSupreme Court clears way for Louisiana to redo congressional map- The HillSupreme Court clears way for redrawing of Louisiana congressional map to include2nd majority-Black district- CBS NewsSupreme Court deals blow to Louisiana Republicans in congressional redistricting case -The New York PostSupreme Court tells Louisiana to draw congressional map with two black-majoritydistricts - The Washington Examiner7/10/23Misrepresentation of Congressional map at hearing—mistaking or misleading?In dueling Alabama congressional map proposals, a dispute over possibilities

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KCommentarypiecesIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.06/09/23John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh Really Did Just Save the Voting Rights Act - Slate MagazineWhitmire: How Alabama Democrats could blow a Supreme Court victory - al.com06/14/23Opinion | In Alabama, redistricting is a rigged game07/10/23

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAdditionalresourcesIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.06/09/23How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Allen v. Milligan Will Impact OngoingRedistricting Litigation - Democracy DocketSupreme Court upholds Section 2 of Voting Rights Act - SCOTUSBlogLDF's Case Challenging Alabama's Redistricting Maps and Why it Matters - LDFAudio of Allen v. Milligan oral arguments from Oct. 4, 2022 - C-SPAN06/24/23Order for Ardoin v. Robinson - Democracy Docket

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAlabama ProposedMapsIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KAlabamaProposed MapsIt is highly recommended that you avoid attempting to provide a legalinterpretation of the decision. Instead, refer media to lead attorneys andplaintiffs.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KDigitalResourcesDownloadGraphicsGraphics ReelsDownload ReelsVideosWe've created a few turnkey digital resources to help you raiseawareness around the case and the ruling. Please feel free to add yourlogo to the digital resources. There are a few resources ready todownload now. UPDATED 08/18/2023Downloadvideos

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KReaction videosView Shalela'svideoWe've created a few videos with some of the Milligan plaintiffs' andadvocates' reactions to winning the landmark case. View Letetia'svideoView Khadidah'svideoView Benard'svideoView Dillon'svideo

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KWe WinFocus on the power of the collective and how community organizers,advocates, lawyers, and community members came together to stand forfreedom and democracy. Highlight that this win is a step in the rightdirection and that we must continue to fight for fair maps across the countryto ensure voters have an opportunity for fair maps and equitablerepresentation. NARRATIVE GUIDELINES Collective Narrative - This is the shared narrative theme and frameworkaround your message. This describes how you want people to think aboutthe overall message around the case and ruling. Below are recommendednarratives frames for each scenario. Scenario x Narrative GuidanceMESSAGING GUIDELINES The Message - These are the words/phrases you will use. The message isthe vehicle for the narrative. Here are some recommended messaging. We Win"We celebrate this victory in the fight for voting rights. Because we stoodtogether, SCOTUS upheld and acknowledged the importance of the VotingRights Act. Today, the court landed on the side of freedom and democracy tohelp ensure that politicians don’t weaken community representation bydistorting district lines, especially in black and brown communities inAlabama and Louisiana. We must continue the fight to ensure that statelegislatures draw new maps that are representative of black and browncommunities. We must organize and advocate for laws to stop legislatorsfrom passing illegal maps in hopes of getting a free pass for one election asmaps are challenged and tied up in the courts."Scenario x Message Recommendation

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KADDITIONAL TALKINGPOINTS FROM LDFTHE DECISION: The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s ruling thatAlabama’s congressional map drawn in 2021 violates the Voting RightsAct by "packing and cracking" Black communities, resulting in dilutedpolitical power.Background:This is one of the most important and unprecedented civil rights decisions of ourgeneration. It’s a historic, monumental moment for voters and Black communities acrossthe country during a time of countless attacks on the right to vote.Alabama created a redistricting plan for its seven seats in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives after the 2020 census, including a majority-Black district.Registered voters and several organizations challenged the map, alleging that it illegallypacked Black voters into one district and divided others across multiple districts,minimizing the number of districts where Black voters could elect their chosencandidates.A three-judge district court agreed with the challengers and granted a preliminaryinjunction, ordering the state to draw a new map, which was frozen by the U.S. SupremeCourt by a 5-4 decision pending a merits decision.Today, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s ruling, rejecting the state’s“race-neutral” argument and ruling that race can be considered in redistricting to ensurevoters of color are not denied an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process.This redistricting cycle was the first since the U.S. Supreme Court gutted federal oversight,or preclearance, in Shelby County v Holder, meaning it was much easier for hostile stategovernments to pass racially discriminatory maps. Today’s decision is clear message tostate lawmakers that their responsibility has not changed: They must ensure that voters ofcolor are not denied an opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

DUAD E M O C R A C YU N D E R A T T A C KKEY MESSAGE POINTSFROM LDFThe U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, ruling that race canbe considered in redistricting, and reaffirmed the lower court’s ruling that Alabama’s mapviolated Section 2 by diluting Black voting power.We applaud this decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.By affirming, the court sent a clear message not just to Alabama’s legislature, but to alllawmakers who are currently attempting to silence Black voters with raciallydiscriminatory maps.Alabama must now draw a new map with two majority-Black districts, which will allow forfairer representation and help to improve disparities in infrastructure, education, healthservices, environmental safety, and other issues that Black communities bear the brunt of.The facts and precedent are on our side – that’s why a three-judge panel blockedAlabama’s map and ordered the legislature to draw a new one before the Supreme Courtintervened.But the fight doesn’t end here. Other counties and states – including Jefferson County,Alabama and Louisiana – are still suffering under maps that discriminate against Blackvoters and other voters of color.Redistricting and congressional representation directly affects the resources a county orcity receives from health care to education and everything in between, which affects thequality of life for all. Redistricting is our once-in-a-decade process of accounting for state-level populationchanges across the country to draw new district maps from the federal level to the locallevel which makes an impact on how funding is distributed for healthcare, schools, androads. Unfair mapping and gerrymandering weaken community power by denying certaingroups the ability to choose a candidate of their choice to fight for the needs of thecommunity. Voting rights are under attack at all angles – voter ID laws, line relief bans, drop box bans,polling site closures, and many more restrictive policies disproportionately burden votersof color, voters with disabilities and elderly voters, voters whose first language is notEnglish, low-income voters, among others.States can and should pass their own Voting Rights Acts to protect voting rights andprevent racially discriminatory maps.We must continue to push back against the assault on democracy in this nation untilevery vote matters and every voice is heard!