Alabama Asks Supreme Court to Let It Use Map With One Majority-Black District
Alabama has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let the state use a congressional map with one majority-Black district, escalating a national redistricting fight that could affect control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms.
The emergency request follows the Supreme Court’s recent Louisiana redistricting decision, which Alabama officials argue changed the legal ground rules for race and congressional mapmaking. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall praised that ruling, saying states must use race-neutral considerations when drawing districts.
A lower court had required Alabama to use a map with two majority-Black districts after finding that the state’s Republican-drawn map with one such district likely violated the Voting Rights Act. Both of those districts are currently represented by Black Democrats, according to Reuters.
The legal consequence is significant. If the Supreme Court allows Alabama to switch maps, Black voters could lose an additional district where they have a strong opportunity to elect a preferred candidate. Republicans could also improve their chances of gaining or protecting a House seat.
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Alabama is not alone. Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down a Democratic-backed congressional map Friday, blocking a plan that could have helped Democrats gain several House seats. Meanwhile, Republican officials in several Southern states have moved or signaled interest in new maps after the Louisiana ruling.
The next step is with the U.S. Supreme Court. Its response could determine not only Alabama’s 2026 map, but how aggressively other states move before voters cast ballots.
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