BIRMINGHAM-A three-judge panel held a hearing on whether the new congressional district map should stand has written after the court ordered the state to redistrict to comply with the landmark Voting Rights Act. The panel voted to strike down the map submitted by the state after the original order stating the districts should be remapped in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act was ruled on by the Supreme Court in a 5-4 ruling.
The judges in their ruling against Alabama stated they are, “deeply troubled that the State enacted a map that the State readily admits does not provide the remedy we said federal law requires.”
For the upcoming 2024 elections the judges have assigned court-appointed experts to draw up three potential maps that will include two districts where Black voters have a realistic opportunity for electing their candidate of choice. The redistricted maps are due in court by September 25.
All parties in this case will have the opportunity to challenge the proposals produced by the court’s “special master” and cartographer, the judges have said. A hearing on any objections is tentatively set for October 3.
Before reviewing the congressional map passed by Alabama’s Republican-controlled legislature in July, the three judges threw out an earlier redistricting plan approved by state lawmakers after finding that it likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Alabama’s Black voters.
Time is running out for Alabama for the logistical deadline for the 2024 election races. Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican — has told the court that finalizing a redistricting plan by around October 1 “would provide enough time to reassign voters, print and distribute ballots, and otherwise conduct the forthcoming 2024 primary elections based on the new map.”
