Alabama Seeks to Reinstate Congressional Map Following Supreme Court Ruling
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed urgent motions to lift federal injunctions blocking the state’s congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision weakening key protections under the Voting Rights Act.
The high court’s ruling on Wednesday struck down Louisiana’s effort to add a second majority-Black congressional district, declaring it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. This pivotal Callais decision challenges longstanding assumptions linking race and political considerations, undercutting the basis for certain redistricting court orders nationwide.
Alabama Pushes to Restore Its Own Map Under Legal Pressure
In response, Marshall filed motions in three major cases—Allen v. Singleton, Allen v. Milligan, and Allen v. Caster—that currently prevent Alabama from using its newly drawn congressional districts from this year. These injunctions stem from a 2022 federal ruling that found Alabama’s map likely violated the Voting Rights Act by failing to create a second majority-Black district.
“The Supreme Court has now made clear that you cannot assume race and politics are the same thing, you have to actually show they’re separate,” Marshall declared. “Because the lower court’s injunction cannot stand in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, we have asked the court to lift the injunction. Alabama deserves the right to use its own maps, just like every other state.”
The battle centers on Alabama’s District 2, where federal judges previously ordered a redraw that increased the Black voting-age population to 48.7%—short of a true majority. Alabama lawmakers’ own revised map was rejected by that panel for failing to come close to a majority-Black district.
Governor Kay Ivey Backs Move to Restore State’s Control
Governor Kay Ivey swiftly responded to the filings, emphasizing Alabama’s right to self-determination. “Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups,” she stated. “I remain hopeful that Alabama receives a favorable ruling.”
This legal push marks a developing chapter at the intersection of voting rights and state sovereignty, with widespread implications for congressional representation across the country.
What’s Next?
The outcome of these motions could reshape Alabama’s congressional map ahead of upcoming election cycles and set precedent for states facing similar Voting Rights Act challenges. Observers nationwide are watching closely as federal courts reconsider entrenched redistricting mandates in light of the Supreme Court’s recent guidance.
For Montana and other states navigating contentious redistricting landscapes, this case underscores the evolving legal framework governing race, politics, and voter representation across the United States.
