Committee approves draft redistribution cards despite criticism from Democrats

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The legislature’s joint redistribution committee on Tuesday approved four draft redistribution cards, along party lines.

The draft maps show the proposed new districts for Congress, the two houses of the Legislative Assembly and the state school board.

Democrats questioned the process, saying they didn’t have time to digest the information before voting.

“Personally, I think it does a disservice to the process and also to the people we represent who haven’t seen this card either, unless you follow me on Twitter,” the state official said. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa. . “There must be a better way to do this. I think it is imperfect.

Committee co-chair Senator Jim McClendon, R-Springville, prefaced the meeting by telling members that the committee was under a tight deadline.

“Federal law requires the Census Bureau to provide data no later than March after the data is collected,” McClendon said. “This time the Census Bureau was seriously behind schedule; instead of getting the data in February or March, we only received the data on August 12. ”

McClendon said committee leadership has met with each person representing each district on the four maps, sometimes more than once, since receiving the data.

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The map was drawn internally without considering racial demographics, McClendon said, with an emphasis on keeping all of the counties, adhering to the voting rights law and ensuring that the districts are integrated in the deviation of the population to keep the districts equal. McClendon said the racial makeup of the districts was then analyzed for any issues after the first lines were drawn.

England asked how the Congress map complied with the Voting Rights Act and specifically asked if the 7th Congressional District has conducted a racial polarization study.

McClendon said that because the 7th Congressional District had more than 54% black citizens of voting age, committee lawyer Dorman Walker concluded that no study was necessary.

England disagreed that the study was unnecessary, and State Representative Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, said a study would be carried out on the 7th Congressional District, as well than on the map proposed by Singleton.

Management also said that all districts that appeared to have a potential “race problem” were analyzed.

Representative Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, proposed delaying voting on the cards until committee members have more time to review them and see the results of racial polarization studies. McClendon offered to table the motion, calling it “inappropriate.”

State Senator Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, joined England in expressing concerns that Jefferson County was divided among three congressional districts, while other counties were divided by two or less.

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“We have seen and heard from the United States Supreme Court that District 7 is the most gerrymandered district in the state of Alabama,” Singleton said. “We think based on the whole county, we can draw two majority districts. The president did not try to do this to stay with what we are used to doing. He didn’t try to find anything different. This is what you get when you don’t get any input from anyone else. I will present a map to you at the next meeting. I think we can get two districts out of here for African Americans.

State Senator Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said he felt the process was moving too fast and ignored the concerns raised.

“I think the process itself didn’t address compromise when it comes to minorities,” Smitherman said. “It disappoints me a bit; he’s like ‘I don’t care what you think, take me to court.’ The past implication says it happened. We have to work together in this situation to compromise with both sides. ”

State Representative Barbra Boyd, D-Anniston, added: “We know who has the voices, all we want is an opportunity to be heard fairly.”

State Representative Sam Jones, D-Mobile, argued that the committee “cannot ignore transparency based on urgency.

“To me, the questions that have been asked are logical questions,” Jones said. “I think the lawyer mentioned it to me, ‘Well, they’ve been doing this for a long time.’ And let me respond with what I said to him, ‘That doesn’t mean it’s right or right. Whether the Democrats did it or the Republicans did it, the right way is the right way, no matter who does it. And I just think we should be concerned about some of the questions that are being asked here because these same questions are going to be asked of me when I get back to Mobile County… but it’s over then, I’ve already voted.

Pringle said this committee meeting is simply meant to prepare a bill for the start of the special session on Thursday.

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“What we have before us today is just a recommendation,” said Pringle. “It will be put in the form of a bill, it will be presented in both houses of the House … We must have something to put in a bill by 4 pm Thursday afternoon.” We have to get something out of here so that LSA can put it in the form of a bill so that we can give it to everyone… You will have time both in the House standing committee, in the Senate standing committee , the word of the House and the word of the Senate to fully consider and consider these bills.

“Are you saying we can’t look at it here while we’re on the committee itself?” That we are denied the opportunity to verify it? Smitherman replied. “What is going to happen there?” … We’re supposed to have the experts here. Our redistribution manager will not be present. If it is not a public hearing, she cannot come to the Senate. This lawyer cannot come to the floor of the Senate itself. This is where work needs to be done to answer these questions.

Smitherman then asked why Walker was not in attendance, as Republican leaders have mentioned on several occasions that he has checked the cards to ensure they are in compliance with regulations.

“Why isn’t the lawyer here or sitting on zoom?” Smitherman asked. “That lawyer must be there to respond to what you say he did. This is the most important meeting he could attend to give these answers on things that you do not have documentation on.

The congressional district card ultimately went to a vote and was recommended 16-6, according to party lines, setting the tone for the remainder of the meeting. The State School Board card and State Senate cards were also passed 16-6 and the House of Representatives card passed 15-6 with Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville, s’ being abstained.

Smitherman raised concerns about the division of Jefferson County into seven Senate districts.

“There is no reason underground that Jefferson County is divided among seven senators,” Smitherman said. “4.7 senators, that’s what we should have so that our riding keeps our entire riding. “

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England has also raised concerns over the Tuscaloosa split, both in the Senate and in the House.

Regarding House Districts, England stressed that Districts 71 and 72 would extend to the west side of Tuscaloosa, capturing majority minority areas of the county.

“I don’t think it was an accident,” England said. “The majority minority district of the city is represented by elected officials who live an hour and an hour and a half away. ”

The redistribution process will continue on Thursday with the start of the extraordinary session.

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