Federal Judges Block Alabama's 2026 House Map, Citing Racial Discrimination Against Black Voters
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 26
Federal Judges Block Alabama's 2026 House Map, Citing Racial Discrimination Against Black Voters
32 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 26
A three-judge federal panel barred Alabama from using its 2023 congressional map in the 2026 midterms, finding it intentionally discriminated against Black voters and ordering the state to use the court-drawn 2024 districts instead.
The judges said the map still failed legal scrutiny after the Supreme Court told them to reconsider it in light of Louisiana v. Callais, a recent ruling that treated Louisiana's map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
The decision came four days after oral arguments and undercuts a Republican redistricting push aimed at protecting the party's razor-thin House majority; Alabama is expected to seek Supreme Court review.
The ruling adds to a widening 2026 map fight, with courts also intervening in Virginia while Florida Republicans have advanced a redraw projected to net the GOP 4 more House seats.
What does this latest court clash mean for the future of voting maps across the country?
How did a lower court block Alabama's map, defying a new Supreme Court standard on redistricting?