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Alabama | Federal Trial | Federal Appellate | Federal Supreme | Congress

Caster v. Allen (was Merrill)

Last Updated Oct 5, 2023
Case number

No. 2:21-cv-00751 (M.D. Ala.), Nos. 2:21-cv-01536, 2:23-mc-01181 (N.D. Ala.), Nos. 22-10272, 23-12923 (11th Cir.), Nos. 21A376, 21-1087, 23A241 (S. Ct.)

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Case Information

** This challenge was heard alongside, but (outside of Supreme Court proceedings) not generally consolidated with, Milligan v. Merrill **

A federal court challenge to Alabama’s congressional districts, alleging that the map violates the Voting Rights Act. 

On Jan. 24, 2022, the trial court granted a preliminary injunction, finding the plaintiffs likely to prevail on their VRA claim (and reserving ruling on the constitutional claim).  The court also postponed the 2022 qualification deadline, to give the legislature time to draw a remedial map.  On Feb. 7, 2022, the Supreme Court stayed the injunction and granted certiorari before judgment.  On June 8, 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed the trial court — and in the process, preserved precedent on the appropriate interpretation of the Voting Rights Act.

On remand, the state drew a new congressional plan on July 21, 2023; the trial court rejected that plan on Sept. 5, 2023, and directed a special master to draw a remedial map.  On Oct. 5, 2003, the court ordered the implementation of one of the remedial maps recommended by the special master.

History

Case filings, starting with most recent court
    Name Last Modified
Document icon Application for stay Sep 13, 2023
Document icon Amicus brief of Nat'l Republican Redistricting Trust Sep 15, 2023
Document icon Amicus brief of members of Congress Sep 19, 2023
Document icon Plaintiffs' response Sep 19, 2023
Document icon Reply Sep 20, 2023
Document icon Order denying stay Sep 26, 2023
    Name Last Modified
Document icon Application for stay Sep 11, 2023
Document icon Motion to withdraw application for stay Sep 26, 2023
Document icon Vol. dismissal of appeal Sep 29, 2023

Map | Challenged congressional map

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Federal court found Alabama's congressional districts liable under the VRA. SCOTUS affirmed. Federal court drew new map.
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Federal court found Alabama's congressional districts liable under the VRA. SCOTUS affirmed. Federal court drew new map.
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