Alabama has filed a lawsuit against the DOJ to have state legislative redistricting plans approved.  Alabama is bypassing DOJ preclearance options for reasons discussed at length here at this blog and elsewhere. 

In the lawsuit, Alabama has argued that if the plans are not precleared or approved, then Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional.  Alabama is the latest state to seek approval in court and threaten the existence of Section 5.  The reason states are pursuing this option as opposed to administrative preclearance is the perception that the current DOJ is infused with partisan mischief and having open transparent litigation before a neutral magistrate as opposed to DOJ bureaucrats is the best means to have state sovereignty respected. 

Alabama has filed a lawsuit against the DOJ to have state legislative redistricting plans approved.  Alabama is bypassing DOJ preclearance options for reasons discussed at length here at this blog and elsewhere. 

In the lawsuit, Alabama has argued that if the plans are not precleared or approved, then Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional.  Alabama is the latest state to seek approval in court and threaten the existence of Section 5.  The reason states are pursuing this option as opposed to administrative preclearance is the perception that the current DOJ is infused with partisan mischief and having open transparent litigation before a neutral magistrate as opposed to DOJ bureaucrats is the best means to have state sovereignty respected.