Alabama filed an emergency request Friday with the Supreme Court to clear the way for its redrawn congressional map, a development that comes after Gov. Kay Ivey signed the legislation earlier in the day.
The state attorney general's office asked justices to rule by Thursday on whether Alabama can revert to its own map instead of the court-mandated design currently in effect. The lower federal court overseeing the case declined to intervene later Friday, saying only the Supreme Court has the authority to act at this stage.
What the Right Is Saying
Attorney General Steve Marshall said Alabama should have the same opportunity as Louisiana. 'After enacting a racial gerrymander, Louisiana is now free to hold elections under a lawful map consistent with its policy goals. Alabama seeks the same opportunity,' his office wrote. Marshall added that Alabama is willing to hold a special primary election closer to November if necessary. Republicans argue the current court-mandated design was 'erroneously ordered at best and unconstitutional at worst.'
What the Left Is Saying
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP and other groups that secured the original injunction argued against any redrawing ahead of November, citing overseas ballots already sent for the May 19 primary. They have until Monday to file their response under Justice Clarence Thomas's order. Civil rights advocates contend that reverting to a map without a second majority-Black district would violate the Voting Rights Act, which was weakened but not eliminated by last week's Supreme Court ruling in the Louisiana case.
What the Numbers Show
The current map, implemented by judges after finding Alabama's original plan violated the Voting Rights Act, led to Democrat Shomari Figures winning a seat in the new majority-Black district. The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision last week in the Louisiana case weakened plaintiffs' ability to force new majority-minority districts under Section 2 of the VRA. That same court ruled in 2023 that Alabama's previous map with only one majority-Black district also violated the Voting Rights Act, creating the current injunction.
The Bottom Line
The Supreme Court's decision will determine whether Alabama can use its Republican-favorable map for November House races or must continue operating under judicial supervision. Justice Thomas is handling emergency matters arising from Alabama by default. If the court grants relief, it would mark another concrete effect of last week's ruling reshaping how race can be considered in redistricting nationwide.