Lawsuit claims Arkansas U.S. House Map is racially motivated, limits Black voters

 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A third lawsuit is now challenging the new Arkansas U.S. House map, claiming the reasons behind redistricting are racially motivated.

The state’s 2021 congressional district map divides Pulaski County into three districts, out of four. Under the previous district lines, that entire county was solely in the 2nd district.

Secretary of State John Thurston and six members of Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners are listed as plaintiffs in the case.

The lawsuit has been filed by three Pulaski County voters and the Christian Ministerial Alliance. It specifically calls this a case of “racial gerrymandering” and “discriminating against black voters” in the 2nd district. For those reasons, the challenge claims the map is unconstitutional.

According to the lawsuit, 41,000 residents in Pulaski County who live in predominantly Black areas were moved out of the district and replaced by approximately 25,000 people from a predominantly white county.

The suit also pointed back to the 2nd congressional district race between former State Sen. Joyce Elliott and c...