Givan on the Special Session, Redistricting, Effect on Local Elections

Alabama State Representative Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) issued a statement on Friday shortly after Governor Kay Ivey called for a special session of the Alabama Legislature to “consider legislation to provide for a special primary election for electing members of the United States House of Representatives and the Alabama State Senate in districts whose boundary lines are altered by a court issuing a judgment, vacating an injunction, or otherwise ordering or permitting an alteration in the boundaries of such districts.”

In her statement, Rep. Givan said:

“This is a terrible day for the State of Alabama. It appears that Republicans won't be satisfied until they hold every elected local, state and federal office and take them by any means necessary. This special session is nothing more than an attempt to turn the clock back to the days of Jim Crow. If the Alabama Legislature moves forward in their effort to remove black members of the state's congressional delegation and make it impossible for any black Alabamian to get elected to Congress, then how long will it be before they reinstate the poll tax and literacy tests? I can only hope that members of the Alabama Legislature will take a long, hard look before they move forward with this and realize the damage it will cause."

ALPolitics.com reached out to Rep. Givan to expand on this statement about the special session, specifically the redistricting of the State Congressional and State Senate maps that is being assumed will be done.

“The special session that has been called for the purpose of redistricting,” Givan said, “a real redrawing of the Congressional District boundaries in the State of Alabama.

“This is not what democracy looks like. That's my thought on it. This is Jim Crow 1.5, amped up to the highest degree. It’s a sad day for Alabama. It's a sad day for this country. The Supreme Court ruling — while I respect the Court — I am very disappointed. Listen, this is a setup for us here in the State, that we will possibly be one day back counting jelly beans in a jar, reciting the Constitution, poll taxes, or being able to say how many bubbles are in a bar of soap.

“With that being said, my concern is this: marginalized people, people of color will not have a voice. We do know that we will lose one of those seats that has been created, whether it be Shomari Figures (D-AL-02) seat or Terri Sewell (D-AL-07). Or, we could possibly lose both of our seats. This is an erosion of democracy, is an erosion of the power of the people, and especially an erosion of the power of the Black folk. 

As Rep. Givan is currently seeking reelection in District 60, and has two opponents in the Democratic primary on May 19, ALPolitics.com asked her if she thought the Special Session might affect her District.

Givan answered, saying, “I believe at some point, absolutely, it will. I don't know if we're going to deal with or address each House seat, but I believe as we gear up for certain, moving into the 2030 census track, I do believe that there would be a modification of those House seats. And, I do believe if they come for the Congressional seats, they're gonna come for the House seats. This is about power.

“This is about absolute power. Power absolute. With power absolute we know, as has been stated time and time again, it corrupts. So what we're seeing now is a corruption of the system, the system of democracy, the system of equality, and most importantly, the system of fairness and equity, with regards to the power and the ability of people to vote and to have representation.

“This vote is about representation, this special session is about representation. This proceeding that we will enter into with regards to this special session, is about the taking of the representation of people — of a people who need representation in the halls of Congress. 

Lastly, ALPolitics.com asked Rep. Givan if she had any words for the people of her District about the upcoming May 19 primary.

“I'm going to say this to them. First of all, go vote. Go vote while you have the representation that you have in this particular seat, the way it is structured,” she emphasized. “Go vote because this could possibly be the last time that you will have fair, just representation in the House.

“I represent House District 60, so I will say to them, don't sit at home. Do not sit idly by. Don't go to the grocery store. Don't go to the bank. Don't fulfill every errand that you have not fulfilled. Go vote because your power and ability to vote for people like me may soon dissipate. It's up to them.

“And I will also close with these words: A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And what we're seeing now is a threat to democracy at its best.”

Juandalynn Givan is a Democratic member of the Alabama House of Representatives, serving District 60 in Jefferson County since 2010. A Birmingham native, attorney, and business owner, she earned degrees from Miles College and Miles Law School before working in city government and founding her firm, Givan & Associates. In the legislature, she has focused on issues such as public health, criminal justice reform, and local governance, while building a reputation as a direct and vocal advocate for underserved communities.

For more information, follow Givan’s campaign on Facebook.