Challenge of Redrawn State Senate Map Could Lead To Election-year Chaos

Max Brantley with the Arkansas Times gets a copy of a federal lawsuit to be filed later today that contends the State Senate maps approved by the Arkansas Board of Apportionment are unconstitutional.

The lawsuit, which includes State Sen. Jack Crumbly (D-Earle) as a plaintiff, says that the Senate maps denied or abridged the plaintiffs’ right to vote “on account of their race or color.” It also said the plan was created “with the intent and effect of diluting the voting strength of African-American voters in northeastern Arkansas…”

At issue is Senate District 24, which Crumbly has been drawn into under reapportionment. The lawsuit states that the black voting age population (BVAP) of the district is 53%, but a decade ago it was roughly 58%.

“But history has shown that BVAP of significantly less than 60% is not sufficient to permit African-American voters to elect a candidate of their choice,” the lawsuit said.

Crumbly, who is black, is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Rep. Keith Ingram (D-West Memphis), who is white.

Today’s lawsuit not only has repercussions for the Senate District in question, but it could also lead to a challenge of the entire Senate map, and certainly the majority black districts.

It could also open a Pandora’s box regarding the House map, too. There were complaints from the House Black Caucus over lowering the number of total House majority-minority districts from 13 to 11. The outcome of the Senate map lawsuit could certainly provide guidance for additional litigation.

With candidate filing begining on February 23, this story could get on a fast track in federal court. If not, it could lead to election-year chaos.

Roby Brock and Jason Tolbert are the authors of this report.