Alabama Councilman: “We Elected a Black Mayor And It’s A Real Stretch To Me …”
Over in Alabama, the citizens of Daphne, AL are asking the Department of Justice launch an investigation in the city council’s decision to cut all but 2 locations where residents can vote in the city’s local elections on August 23rd. The locations were cut back in March 2016 and were in predominantly Black areas, again forcing Black voters to travel far just to vote.
Councilman Ron Scott calls the claims preposterous, as the city just elected a Black mayor 4 years ago, its first Black mayor in the city’s history:
“Daphne, of all cities, we elected a black mayor and it’s a real stretch to me … that the inference is we’re being racist,” said Councilman Scott.
“It’s the furthest thing from our intention. We’ve had a city that has had great relationships with all races in this town.”
The city has an 84% White population and only 11% Black. One of its polling locations had the largest Black voter turnout for years before being cut. Scott also says the polling locations were cut for safety reasons, as one location is undergoing renovation for a mold infestation. The city plans to contract Baldwin Rural Area Transportation to provide Black voters with transportation to polling locations nearest their districts.
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