Alabama’s Congressional Map Faces Yet Another Rejection, Along with a Severe Rebuke

In a recent development, federal judges rejected Alabama’s latest attempt to redraw its congressional districts, citing non-compliance with the Voting Rights Act. This move comes as a response to a court order mandating adherence to the Act. The plan, approved by the state legislature, only includes one district with a Black majority, despite the fact that over one-fourth of Alabama’s residents are Black, according to the Washington Post. While acknowledging that redistricting is typically the responsibility of state legislatures, the panel of judges stated that this Voting Rights Act case is not up for debate. They expressed concern over the fact that Alabama enacted a map that does not provide the required remedy under federal law.

Responding to the ruling, the state attorney general’s office announced that Alabama will appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court, as reported by NPR. However, the Supreme Court already ruled on the issue in June, endorsing the panel’s order for a second district that allows Black voters to elect candidates of their choice. The new map, passed in July, included a district that was approximately 40% Black. However, lawmakers were instructed to include a second district where Black voters are the majority or something close to it. With the 2024 elections approaching, the panel has appointed experts to create three potential maps by September 25. Each of these maps will feature two districts in which Black voters have a realistic chance of electing a candidate. A hearing for potential objections to these maps is scheduled for October 3.

Similar to Alabama, Florida also faced a judicial ruling declaring its existing congressional map in violation of the state constitution due to its dilution of Black voters’ influence. Leon County Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh ordered the legislature to develop a new map that aligns with the constitution, as reported by the New York Times. The contested region spans from Jacksonville to Tallahassee along the Georgia border, with a voting population that is 46% Black. Under the previous map implemented by the legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis before the 2022 midterms, the region was divided into four districts that all elected white Republicans, with Black voting populations ranging from 13% to 32%. In the new map, Judge Marsh noted, “North Florida did not elect a Black member of Congress for the first time since 1990.”