Alabama House approves congressional redistricting plan during active election
Updated
Updated · Democracy Docket · May 6
Alabama House approves congressional redistricting plan during active election
6 articles · Updated · Democracy Docket · May 6
Lawmakers voted 75-29 on Wednesday, with some May 19 primary ballots already cast, and sent the measure to the Alabama Senate.
The bill would trigger a new special election under a different map if federal courts lift injunctions blocking Alabama’s 2023 congressional map.
Governor Kay Ivey called the special session after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling; Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and South Carolina are pursuing late redistricting changes for 2026.
With votes already cast, what happens to Alabama's primary if courts approve new maps before the election is certified?
How Alabama’s HB1 and the Supreme Court’s Callais Decision Threaten Black Voting Power
Overview
On May 6, 2026, the Alabama House passed HB1, authorizing special primaries for four congressional districts if federal courts lift injunctions blocking the 2023 redistricting map. This move follows the Supreme Court's April 29 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act, enabling Alabama Republicans to challenge the current map that allowed two majority-Black districts. The goal is to reclaim the District 2 seat won by a Democrat in 2024. If the injunctions are lifted, Governor Ivey could invalidate recent primary results and call new elections, sparking strong opposition from civil rights groups mobilizing legal challenges and advocacy to protect Black voter representation.