Cases: May v. City of Montgomery, Alabama: Decisions / Orders

Three-Judge Court in Alabama Declares Voting Rights Act Claim Moot

On August 24, 2007, a three-judge court in Alabama dismissed as moot a claim brought by private plaintiffs against the City of Montgomery, Alabama, under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. The suit alleged, among other things, that the City failed to obtain the requisite preclearance of a new election schedule from federal authorities. Under the new schedule, elections are set for Tuesday, August 28, 2007. Plaintiffs had sought to enjoin the upcoming elections, citing the alleged lack of preclearance under the Voting Rights Act. The City had contended that preclearance had been obtained. The three-judge court's August 24, 2007 decision was based on the fact that on August 27, 2007, the Department of Justice issued a letter stating explicitly that the new election schedule was precleared for the 2007 elections. The Legal Center's Executive Director and Director of Litigation, J. Gerald Hebert, served as co-counsel to the City of Montgomery.

To view the order by the three-judge court, click here.