ACLU MD to County Council: Create a 2nd Majority Black District (Testimony & OpEd)

Full testimony published as an OpEd on Forward Baltimore on November 8, 2021.

November 8, 2021

ACLU of Maryland 90 Years logo - square
Justin.png

Justin Nalley

Policy Analyst, Education

I am the Policy Analyst at the ACLU Maryland. This is my first time in front of this body, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today. The ACLU MD opposes the recommendations put forth by the redistricting commission and respectfully urges you to reject the commission’s plan.

Baltimore County has experienced tremendous diverse growth over the last 10 years, and this diversity should be embraced and reflected in how the community elects candidates of their choice. The number of white residents in the county has decreased by 13% and there has been an increase in the number of Black residents by 22%. Overall, residents of color now comprise 47% of the County’s total population.

Read the full testimony that Justin Nalley, Education Policy Analyst with the ACLU MD, gave at the Baltimore County Redistricting Public Hearing on October 26th, 2021, published on Forward Baltimore website.

READ FULL TESTIMONY

Related Issues

Voting Rights and Elections Racial Justice View All Issues

Related Content

Press Release
Sep 29, 2021
ACLU of Maryland's logo is on the left and Baltimore County Branch of the NAACP's logo is on the right.
  • Racial Justice

Baltimore County NAACP, ACLU of Maryland Voice Concerns About Unlawful Vote Dilution in Proposed County Council Redistricting

Issue Areas: Racial Justice
Campaign
Jan 2022
Lawsuit complaint image that shows a list of plaintiffs for the Baltimore County redistricting lawsuit with a red "FILED" stamp over on the page.
  • Voting Rights and Elections|
  • +1 Issue

Uphold the Voting Rights Act in Baltimore County

Despite outspoken community concerns, in late December 2021, the Baltimore County Council passed, by unanimous vote, an unfair and racially discriminatory election plan. The Council plan clearly violates the Voting Rights Act.
Press Release
Feb 22, 2022
Baltimore County redistricting lawsuit complaint image with list of plaintiffs and a red rectangle at an angle with white VICTORY letters.
  • Voting Rights and Elections|
  • +1 Issue

VICTORY: Federal Judge Orders Baltimore County to Submit Redistricting Plan that Complies with Voting Rights Act

Victory! In the federal court challenge to an illegal redistricting plan, brought by Black voters in Baltimore County and several civil rights organizations, Federal Judge Griggsby granted a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of the County’s plan and ordering them to submit a new plan.
Issue Areas: Voting Rights and Elections, Racial Justice
Press Release
Jan 20, 2022
A group of activists stand outside together in Baltimore County at a press conference for the filing of a lawsuit to uphold the Voting Rights Act and create two majority-Black districts.
  • Voting Rights and Elections|
  • +1 Issue

Black Voters, Advocacy Groups Urge Federal Court to Block Baltimore County’s Unlawful Redistricting Plan

Premier Voting and Civil Rights Experts Detail Minority Vote Dilution, Racially Polarized Voting, History of Racial Exclusion and Segregation
Issue Areas: Voting Rights and Elections, Racial Justice