After a prolonged legal battle, the residents of Newbern, Alabama, a town with a population of 133, will finally be able to vote in municipal elections for the first time in over sixty years. This landmark decision follows a proposed settlement aimed at resolving a federal civil rights lawsuit that challenged the town’s racially discriminatory voting practices.
Newbern, a predominantly Black town, sits approximately 40 miles west of Selma, Alabama. It has a storied history of racial disenfranchisement. For decades, the town’s governance was controlled through “hand-me-down” practices where white officials appointed successors rather than holding elections. This system effectively excluded the majority Black population from participating in local government.
The Racist Leadership of Newbern Town
The legal battle began in earnest in 2020 when Patrick Braxton, a Black volunteer firefighter, filed paperwork to run for mayor. Braxton faced immediate resistance despite being the only candidate and thus winning by default. Upon assuming office, he encountered significant obstacles: town hall locks were changed, he could not access town funds, and a secret special election was held, reappointing the previous mayor, Haywood “Woody” Stokes III.
In response, Braxton and a group of residents filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2022. The lawsuit alleged that the town officials conspired to prevent Braxton from exercising his duties as mayor, thus violating the Voting Rights Act and the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause. The proposed settlement, filed on June 21, 2024, and awaiting approval by U.S. District Judge Kristi K. DuBose, marks a significant victory for Newbern. If approved, this settlement will reinstate Patrick Braxton as the lawful mayor of Newbern. It will also require the immediate resignation of current town officials holding office without proper elections.
Patrick Braxton expressed his relief and optimism for the future to HuffPost, stating, “My heart goes out to the town and the people in the town. Whatever I can do to make sure everything goes on and goes smoothly, I would do it for the community.” He also highlighted his plans to unify the community and ensure continued progress.