Arkansas Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Simpson)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of a group of Black Arkansas voters challenging the state’s new congressional map. The complaint argues that the map intentionally “cracks” Black voters across multiple congressional districts in order to dilute their voting strength in violation of the U.S. and Arkansas Constitutions and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs specifically allege that Black voters in Pulaski County, home to Little Rock, were divided among three congressional districts rather than keeping the population in one district, the 2nd Congressional District, “to discourage the incentive of the Black voters of the area to vote, and to reduce the significance of their votes.” The plaintiffs ask the court to block the current map and order the creation of a new map that meets state and federal redistricting requirements.

The case was dismissed on May 25, 2023. The plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of the lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court on June 12, 2023.

On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the district court for reconsideration in light of its decision in Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP.

RESULT: On Sept. 11, 2024, a three judge panel once again dismissed this case. Arkansas’s congressional maps will remain in place for future elections.

Last updated: September 12, 2024 9:29 am EST