A three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled on Sept. 5 that the revised congressional district boundaries that the Alabama legislature enacted on July 21, 2023, were not in accordance with the Voting Rights Act. The state adopted the revised congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2023 that the congressional redistricting plan adopted on Nov. 4, 2021, violated the Voting Rights Act and must be redrawn to include a second majority-black district.
The federal district court’s order said, “this Court concluded that the 2023 Plan did not remedy the likely Section 2 violation found by this Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court. We, therefore, preliminarily enjoined Secretary Allen from using the 2023 Plan in Alabama’s upcoming 2024 congressional elections.” The federal district court ordered its Special Master to submit three proposed remedial plans with the court by Sept. 25 that comply with the Voting Rights Act and “traditional redistricting principles to the extent reasonably practicable.”
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen’s office said it would appeal the federal court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. A spokesperson for Allen issued a statement which said, “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. We intend to promptly seek review from the Supreme Court to ensure that the State can use its lawful congressional districts in 2024 and beyond.”
