Demographics
March 29, 2019 -
Governors in Florida and North Carolina recently appointed Jewish justices to their state supreme courts — a first for North Carolina. Studies have shown that Jewish judges, as well as those who belong to other religious minorities, tend to rule in favor of religious freedom.
March 28, 2019 -
After the state legislature failed to revamp a judicial voting district found to be racially discriminatory, a federal court has picked a technical advisor from California to do the job instead. Will the non-white voters of Terrebonne Parish finally get a fair shot at electing a judge of their choice next year?
March 12, 2019 -
A state judge recently struck down a voter ID amendment to the N.C. Constitution because the legislators who ratified it were elected in unconstitutional, racially gerrymandered districts. Meanwhile, two white sheriffs who ousted black sheriffs with the help of a suspected election fraudster are also facing legal problems.
February 21, 2019 -
Cheri Beasley will soon be sworn in as chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, becoming the first black woman to lead the court. She brings much-needed diversity to the South's appellate courts, which are overwhelmingly white and male.
February 15, 2019 -
Southern states are projected to gain up to four congressional seats and Electoral College votes after next year's census. But some Southern states are at risk of losing representation, and census undercounts could dilute the power of African-American and Latino communities.
December 19, 2018 -
As the lame duck governor heads to the U.S. Senate, Florida is losing its only black Supreme Court justice. That's no accident: A drastic loss in racial diversity on Florida state courts is part of Gov. Scott's legacy and has led to demands for reforming how judges are chosen.
November 30, 2018 -
When Southern legislatures gavel into session in 2019, Republicans will still enjoy majority control in all of the South's upper and lower chambers. But for Southern Republicans, there is cause for concern: Since the election of President Trump, Democrats have gained ground in key Southern states.
