BILL PRYOR: THE RIGHT CHOICE

Bill Pryor is an outstanding judicial nominee because he has a proven record of following the law and standing up for the civil rights of African Americans even when it costs him politically. Recently, several civil rights leaders charged that Bill opposed the Voting Rights Act. In reality, Bill only questioned the usefulness of section 5 of the Voting Rights Act that requires the Justice Department to “pre clear” – approve—even minor changes in voting practices that have nothing to do with discrimination, like using stickers to attach the name of a replacement for a deceased candidate on a ballot after the ballot forms were printed. Bill’s position that the section 5 procedure is too burdensome is the same position taken by Thurbert Baker, the African American Democrat Attorney General of Georgia has taken. Moreover, even though section 5 rarely protects minority voters, Bill has still required voters to abide by it because it is the law on the books.

When it comes to section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and other provisions that do impact minority voting rights, Bill has taken the side of the NAACP to stop white Alabama Republicans from challenging old voting districts and has taken the side of African American legislators to oppose a redistricting plan that white Republicans supported.

Some have also questioned Pryor’s position in the Alexander v. Sandoval case. The case dealt with whether Congress had authorized a private lawsuit by a person who didn’t speak English to force the State of Alabama to spend its scarce resources on printing drivers license exams in foreign languages instead of spending its money on salaries for teachers and state troopers. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Pryor that Congress did not authorize such a lawsuit. Further, the National Association of Attorneys General, which includes Democrats and Republicans, named the brief that Pryor filed in this case one of the best in the nation.

When it comes to civil rights issues, from working with African American leaders to repeal Alabama’s old ban on interracial marriages to faithfully interpreting voting laws even when white Republicans have opposed him, Bill Pryor’s record is fantastic! Unlike some who have not worked with Bill Pryor, African American leaders who have worked with him, like Artur Davis, Joe Reed, and Alvin Holmes support Bill Pryor for the federal judgeship. So do I!

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to his web page at www.greggriffin.com