Alabama is asking a federal court to rule that its redistricting plan for the state Legislature does not violate the Voting Rights Act.
The state filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking a declaratory judgment that the plan does not deny or abridge the right to vote based on race or color.
Also at issue is the act's preclearance provision, which requires state and local governments with a history of discrimination to obtain advance approval from the Justice Department or federal court in Washington before changing election procedures. Alabama said if the court doesn't grant a declaratory judgment, then it should find the preclearance provision and its 2006 amendments unconstitutional.
The state also seeks an injunction preventing Attorney General Eric Holder from enforcing the amendments or preclearance provision.
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