Alabama has asked the Supreme Court to intervene and block a lower court ruling that ordered a special master to redraw the state’s 2023 congressional election map with two majority Black districts. This is the second time Alabama has sought the Supreme Court’s involvement in the redistricting issue.
The state has requested a response from the justices by October 1st in order to avoid using a court-drawn map that could potentially void Alabama’s opportunity to appeal. Alabama argues that the lower court’s ruling is incorrect because it misinterpreted the Supreme Court’s analysis of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which does not require the creation of two majority Black districts.
Last week, a federal district court panel in Alabama ruled that a special master must be appointed to draw a new congressional map after the state Legislature refused to add a second majority Black district to its 2023 plan in defiance of the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling. The panel noted that a map with only one majority Black district violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
In June, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act requires states to ensure equal voting opportunities for all, including minorities. The court determined that Black voters’ power was diluted when they were split among multiple districts, leaving them with only one district where they had significant political influence.
The Supreme Court’s decision was based on previous rulings that Alabama’s map violated the law governing district lines. The state Legislature did not add a second district when given the opportunity to redraw the map after the June ruling. The Republican-controlled Legislature’s map, which passed in July, only included one majority Black district out of seven, even though approximately 27% of Alabama residents are Black.
The three-judge panel expressed deep concern over the state’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s mandate and has decided to appoint a third party to take on the map-drawing role. The panel emphasized that the Voting Rights Act case is not a close call and criticized Alabama for enacting a map that does not provide the required remedy under federal law.
Alabama’s request to the Supreme Court comes amidst a contentious battle over redistricting in the state, with implications for electoral fairness and representation. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for future redistricting efforts and the protection of voting rights.
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