Federal Court Strikes Down Alabama Congressional Maps in Voting Power Dispute

A federal court in Alabama has once again invalidated the state’s congressional map, citing the absence of a second majority African-American district. This ruling sets the stage for a potential Supreme Court showdown that could impact the balance of power in Congress following the 2024 election.

A three-judge panel of federal judges in Alabama has ruled that the state’s latest congressional map is likely in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The decision was made on the grounds that only one of Alabama’s seven congressional districts holds a majority of Black voters, despite African Americans constituting 27% of the state’s population. The Voting Rights Act, a landmark civil rights law, was enacted to prohibit discriminatory voting practices that were implemented in the South during the period of Reconstruction.

In its order, the court expressed deep concern over the state’s adoption of a map that does not address the federal law’s requirements. The court stated, “We are deeply troubled that the state enacted a map that the state readily admits does not provide the remedy we said federal law requires.” The court has ordered a special master to redraw the state’s districts, asserting that there is little reason to believe that allowing the legislature another opportunity would result in a map that includes a second district where Black voters can choose a candidate.

While the court’s decision specifically pertains to Alabama, its implications are far-reaching, particularly in Southern states. The outcome of this legal battle could provide a substantial advantage to Democrats in the upcoming 2024 election. The Alabama ruling is likely to influence similar legal disputes over congressional maps in states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia, where the complex intersection of race, politics, and redistricting has been a contentious issue for decades.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office has confirmed its intent to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Amanda Priest, a spokeswoman for Marshall, stated, “While we are disappointed in today’s decision, we strongly believe that the legislature’s map complies with the Voting Rights Act and the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court.” She added that they will promptly seek review from the Supreme Court to ensure the lawful use of Alabama’s congressional districts in 2024 and beyond.

It’s worth noting that Alabama’s congressional districts were already subject to Supreme Court scrutiny earlier this year. In a 5-4 decision in June, the Supreme Court rejected Alabama’s argument that a “race-blind” approach to drawing congressional districts was permissible under the Voting Rights Act. This decision surprised many experts, given the court’s previous rulings that had weakened provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the matter was returned to the Alabama Legislature, which devised a new map that still did not include a second African-American district. Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed this map into law in July. However, the plaintiffs involved in the case promptly objected again in federal court, accusing the state of disregarding the Supreme Court’s directive.

In response, Alabama contended that the Supreme Court’s decision did not mandate a proportional allocation of districts based on the Black population. According to the state, the latest map prioritized African-American communities “to the fullest extent possible” while also seeking to maintain the unity of other communities within the same district.