Dec 13, 2024 Story by: Editor
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A federal three-judge panel convened in Little Rock to hear arguments regarding the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’ 2021 congressional district map.
The lawsuit, filed by the Legal Defense Fund and other plaintiffs, alleges that the redistricting by the Arkansas Legislature intentionally diluted the voting power of Black residents in Pulaski County. The new map divided Pulaski County, previously part of the state’s 2nd Congressional District, into three separate districts: 1, 2, and 4.
John Cusick, assistant counsel for the Legal Defense Fund, argued before the panel that the redistricting map discriminated against Black voters in Pulaski County. “It split the high concentration of Black voters in cities, in school districts, and judicial districts,” Cusick stated.
Monday’s hearing came in response to a motion for summary judgment filed in October by the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office. If granted, the motion would allow the judges to dismiss the case without proceeding to a full trial.
Dylan Jacobs, representing the Secretary of State’s office, contended there was no substantial evidence that race was a motivating factor in the legislature’s decision. He suggested that “core retention” could have been the motive behind the redistricting process.
Cusick emphasized the importance of allowing the case to proceed to a full trial. “It’s important because it gives our clients a day in court,” he explained. “The map drawing process showed that race was used in an impermissible way, and more than 20,000 Black community members were sorted out of the district.”
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin defended the redistricting map, stating, “Two cases challenging the state’s congressional districts have already been dismissed. Our congressional districts are constitutional, and I will vigorously defend the state in this remaining case.”
KARK 4 News reached out to the Secretary of State’s office for further comment but was informed that, due to ongoing litigation, no statements would be provided.
The three-judge panel—comprising David Stras of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and U.S. District Judges D.P. Marshall Jr. and James Moody Jr.—did not issue a decision on Monday but indicated that a ruling would follow in due course. Source: KARK
