Alabama Rushes to Restore Congressional Map After High Court Landmark Ruling
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is racing to lift federal court injunctions blocking the state’s congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a game-changing decision on racial gerrymandering. The news comes hot on the heels of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district as unconstitutional, significantly weakening key provisions within the Voting Rights Act.
On Wednesday, Alabama filed urgent motions in three ongoing redistricting cases — Allen v. Singleton, Allen v. Milligan, and Allen v. Caster — asking federal courts to lift injunctions that currently bar the state from using its congressional map drawn earlier this year. The injunctions stem from a ruling by a federal panel that called Alabama’s 2023 map a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act and demanded a second majority-Black district.
Supreme Court Undercuts Voting Rights Act Protections in Redistricting Battle
The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision against Louisiana’s district map fuelled Alabama’s call for action, emphasizing that race and politics cannot be conflated without clear evidence. “Alabama deserves the right to use its own maps, just like every other state,” Marshall said in an official statement accompanying the filings.
The Supreme Court ruling directly challenges the lower courts’ assumptions by clarifying that racial gerrymandering claims require more than just political affiliation overlap—they must demonstrate separate racial considerations. Marshall argues this ruling invalidates the federal injunctions against Alabama’s congressional map.
Governor Kay Ivey Calls for State Control Over Voting Districts
Governor Kay Ivey immediately voiced support, reinforcing the state’s right to determine its own district lines. “
Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups. I remain hopeful that Alabama receives a favorable ruling,
” she said.
Last year, a three-judge panel ordered Alabama to redraw its districts to create a second majority-Black congressional seat. Alabama lawmakers responded by redrawing maps rejected by the panel for failing to provide a district with a significant Black voting-age population. Consequently, federal courts imposed a new boundary on District 2, raising the Black voting-age population there to 48.7%.
What’s Next for Alabama’s Congressional Map Battle?
With the Supreme Court’s ruling now weakening a pillar of the Voting Rights Act used against Alabama’s congressional map, the state is pushing aggressively to have the federal restrictions lifted. If the motions succeed, Alabama will reinstate its originally drawn map, challenging existing federal mandates and reshaping the political landscape going forward.
The ongoing legal showdown underscores a broader national debate on redistricting, race, and the limits of federal oversight. Alabama’s case could set a precedent that impacts voting district disputes across the country, potentially reducing protections for minority voting power under the Voting Rights Act.
For now, all eyes remain on federal courts as they weigh Alabama’s request to regain control over its congressional lines. The decision will carry immediate consequences for voters in Alabama’s districts and could influence redistricting politics nationwide.
