Voting Rights Act of 1965

Voters in rural Alabama will soon cast historic votes this November. It’s the first-time residents in the newly redrawn Congressional District two will pick their member of the U.S. House. It took a fight before the U.S. Supreme Court to create the new map to better represent African Americans in Congress. This may sound like a one-of-a-kind event, but it’s not.

This story isn’t part of Alabama Public Radio’s investigative series on the newly redrawn Congressional seat in District 2—But it could provide an interesting perspective—from the view from the former Soviet nation of Belarus.

A federal court is ruling that the State of Alabama cannot restrict assistance for disabled, blind and low-literacy voters in 2024 election when it comes to the absentee application process. A U.S. District on Tuesday blocked a portion of a new Alabama law violates the Voting Rights Act.

Alabama organizations, state nonprofits and national voting rights advocacy groups are calling for a retraction to remove access for ballot casting in the state. The coalition warns in a letter that legal action could be taken against a high-ranking official in the Yellowhammer State if reversals are not made.

A federal judge has sided with the state of Alabama in narrowing the scope of a lawsuit challenging a new law that criminalizes some ways of helping other people to apply for an absentee ballot.

An Alabama lawmaker and voting rights advocates are introducing Senate Bill 7, also known as the Alabama Voting Rights Act. The legislation is being billed by supporters as a way to protect democracy and ensure equal access at the ballot box.

Mobile’s Mardi Gras Park was awash in red, white, and blue as the non-profit groups “Alabama Forward,” “Shake The Field,” “Transform Alabama” and others held a get-out-the-vote event ahead of the November election. The rally called “Democracy: Now Or Never,” came as Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly held one on interviews with the front runners to be her running mate against Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.

Some 170 foundations, donors and advisors have signed on to a pledge started by the nonprofit Democracy Fund to make their grants earlier this Election Year. The "get out the vote" effort will reportedly include Alabama.

Alabama voters decided primary runoffs on Tuesday for the state's newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, setting up a potentially historic November race that could play a part in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The League of Women Voters of Alabama wants supporters to show up for a planned hearing in the State Senate over SB1. That’s a bill that could make certain actions associated with absentee ballots a misdemeanor or a felony. The measure was a centerpiece of Governor Kay Ivey’s State of the State Address last night, which was aired “live” on Alabama Public Radio. The non-partisan League is urging its supporters to lobby lawmakers to vote no to fast track SB1