Federal Judges Confront Alabama’s Voting Rights Backslide: Is Preclearance the Only Answer?

In a decisive hearing Tuesday, federal judges put Alabama’s voting practices under the microscope, challenging whether the state deserves relief from strict federal oversight amid credible evidence of intentional voter dilution targeting Black residents. The question at the heart of the courtroom isn’t just legal—it’s a test of Alabama’s commitment to fair democratic processes that align with our nation’s founding values. Is Alabama Repeating History or Embracing Progress? The Voting Rights Act once stood as a bulwark against electoral discrimination, requiring states with documented histories of oppression — predominantly Southern states — to seek federal approval before changing election laws....