Alabama Appeals to Supreme Court for Controversial Congressional Map
Alabama is seeking Supreme Court permission to use a congressional map perceived to favor Republicans, despite a lower court ruling that it discriminates against Black voters.
Alabama has requested that the Supreme Court allow the state to use a congressional map that disproportionately benefits Republicans in the upcoming elections. This request follows a ruling from a three-judge panel that determined the map intentionally disenfranchised Black voters, with only one of the seven congressional districts having a majority Black population.
Attorney General Steve Marshall contends that the state did not engage in intentional discrimination and argues for the right to conduct elections using a map established by lawmakers rather than the judiciary. The state’s appeal follows a Supreme Court decision that previously struck down a similar Black-majority district in Louisiana, influencing Republican-led redistricting efforts across Southern states.
The judicial panel, which reaffirmed its stance on the alleged racial discrimination, stated that Alabama, which is approximately 27% Black, should have two districts where Black voters represent a majority or close to it. The court-ordered map is already in effect for the 2024 elections, leading to the election of U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, a Black Democrat.
As Alabama prepares for special primaries on August 11, officials are requesting a Supreme Court decision by Monday regarding the use of the new map in order to proceed with their electoral plans.