Former President Jimmy Carter's hometown makes a point of celebrating democracy. American flags wave outside stores selling old campaign buttons and vintage political posters, and tourists mill around the train depot that served as his 1976 campaign headquarters.
The rural Georgia county where tiny Plains is located is also the site of historic struggles for civil rights, and it could continue to offer lessons on the costly conflicts that may lie ahead nationwide when states redraw voting district lines after the 2020 Census.
Sumter County is embroiled in a court fight over voting rights and redistricting that challenges the composition and credibility of its school board.
FILE-In this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 file photo, pedestrians walk down Main Street in the hometown of former President Jimmy Carter, in Plains, Ga. Former President Jimmy Carter's home county in rural south Georgia has been embroiled in a costly voting rights lawsuit that experts say could soon be replicated nationwide.(AP PhotoDavid Goldman, File)
In the midst of it is Kelvin Pless, whose election to the board nearly a decade ago shifted control toward an African American majority. Before then, a white-majority board had governed the district where black students constitute an overwhelming majority. It also unleashed what Pless said felt like a "race war" that returned control to whites after state lawmakers intervened.
"I don't like to use the term too much, but I think it was borne out of racism." said Pless. "It was almost like a very mild version of terrorism."
The board's white chairman, Michael Busman, said the election changes that reconstituted the board had "nothing to do with race." Instead, he called it the simplest path to shrinking the nine-member body, which he said was too large and costly for the small school district.
FILE-In this Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 file photo, a utility pole is reflected in the window of an old train depot that became a local campaign office for former President Jimmy Carter in his hometown of Plains, Ga. Former President Jimmy Carter's home county in rural south Georgia has been embroiled in a costly voting rights lawsuit that experts say could soon be replicated nationwide. (AP PhotoDavid Goldman, File)
With a population estimated around 30,000, Sumter County is about 53% black and 43% white. Like many other Southern communities, it was run by whites until courts overturned Jim Crow laws and ordered desegregation during the civil rights era.
The county saw large-scale civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s and drew national attention for imprisoning dozens of African American girls in a squalid stockade for months and charging four other activists with treason. The first students to integrate Sumter's schools faced violent white mobs. Their buses were pummeled by rocks and eggs, their notebooks ripped to pieces.
Today, the district — with 4,400 students — is 72% black, 14% white and 12% Hispanic. Many white families send children to private or public schools in neighboring counties with larger white populations.
"I come back now, and I see things virtually unchanged. It's a city that's still polarized, a school system that remains just as segregated today as it was decades ago," said Sam Mahone, a veteran of the county's civil rights movement.
Before entering state and national politics, Carter served on the school board in the 1950s.
Once a majority-black board was seated in 2011, Pless said agitated white residents crammed meetings in what felt "like a lynch mob." The local press disparaged the new 6-3 African American majority as the "gang of six," he said. At least two African American board members during that time say their employers received threatening letters, advocating they be fired.
Then the state legislature downsized the board, redrew its election districts and added two at-large seats. The motivation for the change remains contested, but the effect was clear. The board shifted to a 5-2 white majority, prompting the lawsuit that the American Civil Liberties Union later joined.
Two of the last four board elections were called off by judges, and two were held under the new plan, which a federal district judge ruled last year violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by "diluting" African American voting strength. The judge also said decades of discrimination had hindered the black community's ability to exercise electoral power in at-large elections.
Under the Voting Rights Act, the county's plan previously would have been cleared in advance by the Justice Department to guarantee it didn't harm minorities. That process, called "preclearance," was effectively dismantled by a 2013 Supreme Court decision. That allowed Georgia to implement the plan without oversight.
With no more federal preclearance required, expensive court fights like the one in Carter's county could erupt nationwide over post-2020 Census redistricting.
"It's taken four years and probably millions of dollars just to litigate in this one tiny jurisdiction," said Leah Aden, deputy director of litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. "It's very concerning that there might be a need for many more of these types of cases across thousands of jurisdictions across our country in the coming years."
During such lawsuits, officials who may have been elected through an unfair process remain in office. In Sumter County, three of the seven sitting school board members are holdovers, their terms already expired. Still, they're making decisions about hiring district personnel and building a new $48 million high school.
"It's not like there aren't remaining tools to combat discrimination, but they keep the inertia on the side of those who would do harm," said Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Some African American leaders in Sumter County said they're disappointed that Carter, who's traveled worldwide to promote democracy, hasn't weighed in on the case unfolding in his hometown.
"He's all around the world talking about people having bad elections and he's got one right in his backyard and he hasn't opened his mouth," said John Marshall, publisher of the county's African American newspaper.
A representative of Carter didn't respond to emails and calls requesting comment.
The county argues on appeal that African American voters have the opportunity to elect candidates to at-large districts, noting the county voted for Democrat Stacey Abrams — an African American woman who narrowly lost 2018's high-profile gubernatorial race.
For now, the Sumter County case is back before a U.S. District Court judge who's overseeing the drawing of new districts for the 2020 election. Progress is slow.
"There's no end in sight," said attorney Bryan Sells, who represents plaintiff Mathis Kearse Wright Jr., the local NAACP president.
Alice Green, one of the two remaining African American board members, said she hopes the litigation ends soon.
"The community is divided, and the school system is only as good as the community," she said.
NEW YORK (AP) — When Taylor Fritz, a 26-year-old from California, and Frances Tiafoe, a 26-year-old from Maryland, strode under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights Friday night for the first U.S. Open semifinal matching two American men in 19 years, the crowd might have been forgiven for not knowing which to support.
There was a burst of clapping right before the initial point, a curtain-raiser befitting the show about to unfold. Once the contest got going, maybe the momentum shifts made it tough to choose between a pair of close pals who’ve known each other since they were playing tournaments for kids younger than 14.
In the end, the roars were for Fritz, who surged with a six-game run against a fading and frustrated Tiafoe to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.
“It’s the reason why I do what I do,” Fritz told the fans, his voice cracking during a post-match interview. “It’s the reason why I work so hard.”
The No. 12-seeded Fritz's momentum-shift-filled victory against No. 20 Tiafoe earned a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner for the championship on Sunday.
“He was overwhelming from the baseline so much ... and I just tried to tell myself to stay in it and fight,” said Fritz, who was two games from losing in the fourth set. “I told myself that if I didn’t give it absolutely everything I had — to just stick with it and see if his level might drop a little bit — then I was going to regret it for a long time.”
He will be the first U.S. man to appear in a major final since Andy Roddick lost to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2009. And if he can get past Sinner, Fritz would become the first U.S. man to win a Slam trophy since Roddick got his 21 years ago at the U.S. Open.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m in the final. So I’m going to come out and give everything I can possibly give,” Fritz said. “I can’t wait.”
From 4-all in the fourth set Friday, he seized control as Tiafoe's strokes and usual confidence betrayed him. After Tiafoe's double-fault handed over a break to make it 4-0 in the fifth, more than three hours into the proceedings, he chucked his racket. Fritz repaid the favor by double-faulting to end the next game, but broke right back and soon it was over. They met at the net for an embrace.
Sinner, a 23-year-old from Italy exonerated in a doping case less than three weeks ago, finished off a 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over No. 25 Jack Draper on Friday that featured simultaneous treatment of both competitors by trainers deep in the 1 1/2-hour second set.
“It was a very physical match, as we see,” said Sinner, who won the Australian Open in January. “I just tried to stay there mentally.”
He got his left wrist massaged after falling during a point he managed to win; Draper needed medical attention after vomiting twice in a game with the temperature in the high 70s and the humidity above 60%. During that break in the action, a vacuum was used to clear the ground behind the baseline and finish the cleaning job Draper, a 22-year-old from Britain, tried to do himself by wiping his, um, mess with a towel.
There was none of that sort of drama away from the actual play in Tiafoe vs. Fritz.
The respective guest boxes seemed to reflect the players’ contrasting personalities. The excitable Tiafoe would mark a key moment by shaking a raised fist or gritting his teeth or wagging his racket or nodding while strutting to the sideline, and his entourage — including coach David Witt, who worked with Venus Williams for many years, as well as Jessica Pegula, the American in the U.S. Open women’s final Saturday against Aryna Sabalenka — stood and got noisy, point after point after point.
The group in the more mild-mannered Fritz’s corner was more selective in its celebrations.
Fritz had never been past the quarterfinals at one of his sport’s four most prestigious events until now, but this journey included wins over a trio of guys with a combined six Slam runner-up showings: Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev and Matteo Berrettini.
Fritz started well Friday, smacking serves at up to 135 mph, before Tiafoe gathered himself and grabbed five games in a row. In the next set, Fritz — now 7-1 against Tiafoe — was pretty much perfect, winning 24 of 25 service points and going 8 for 8 at the net. Tiafoe regrouped quickly, breaking to begin the third, which turned out to be enough for that set, because he never allowed Fritz so much as one break chance. Tiafoe appeared to lose steam after losing one particular 31-stroke point — the longest of the match — midway through the fourth, then gave away that set’s last game by double-faulting twice and netting a drop shot.
There’s no doubt which finalist will get more vocal support Sunday.
Word emerged last month that Sinner failed two drug tests eight days apart in March but was cleared because he said the trace amounts of an anabolic steroid — an ingredient in a treatment for cuts sold over-the-counter in Italy — entered his system unintentionally via a massage from a team member he since has fired. That whole episode has been a constant topic of conversation as he progressed through the U.S. Open bracket.
Sinner is as pure a ball-striker as there is in the men’s game at the moment and got better as exchanges grew longer, taking the point on 50 of 80 that lasted nine or more strokes.
“Jannik plays at such a high level,” Draper said, “all the time.”
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Taylor Fritz, of the United States, returns a shot to Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, picks up his racket during the men's singles semifinals against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Actress Laverne Cox, left, watches play between Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, and Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts in the first set against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reacts after scoring a point against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reacts after scoring a point against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reacts after breaking the serve of Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reaches to return a shot from Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts after falling on the court in the first set against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, reacts after scoring a point against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Taylor Fritz, of the United States, returns a shot to Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, wipes his face between games against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after breaking the serve of Jack Draper, of Great Britain, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Court attendant Ethan Davison cleans up an area on the court where Jack Draper, of Great Britain, vomited in the second set against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after missing a shot from Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Fans cheer during the men's singles semifinals between Jannik Sinner, of Italy, and Jack Draper, of Great Britain, of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, cools off during a break between games against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, holds his left wrist after falling on the court in the second set against Jack Draper, of Great Britain, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, cools off during a break between games against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, is examined during the men's singles semifinals against Jack Draper, of Great Britain, of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, wipes the court against Jannik Sinner, of Italy, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, reacts after defeating Jack Draper, of Great Britain, during the men's singles semifinal of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
Jannik Sinner, of Italy, holds his wrist after returning a shot to Jack Draper, of Great Britain, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
