x
Breaking News
More () »

In Jimmy Carter's home county, voting rights case tests democracy

When African-Americans gained a majority on Sumter County's school board, state lawmakers enacted a redistricting plan that eventually returned control to whites.

PLAINS, Ga. — Former President Jimmy Carter's home county in rural south Georgia has been embroiled in a costly voting rights lawsuit that experts say could soon be replicated nationwide.

It began nearly a decade ago when African-Americans gained a majority on Sumter County's school board. State lawmakers then enacted a redistricting plan that eventually returned control to whites.

Civil rights leaders sued the county, setting up an expensive legal battle with the American Civil Liberties Union that's continued to this day.

RELATED: Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young talk peace, humanity and spirituality in joint Sunday school lesson

The court fight comes after the Supreme Court dismantled a federal oversight provision enshrined in the Voting Rights Act.

Jurisdictions will redistrict nationwide following the 2020 census. Without federal preclearance of redistricting plans, experts fear expensive court fights like the one in Carter's county could become more common.

RELATED HEADLINES

Homeland Security, Georgia Secretary of State rebut 'misleading' reports of Ga. election meddling

Stacey Abrams testifies before House Judiciary on voting rights

Georgia’s elections system under investigation by federal government

Before You Leave, Check This Out