New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling

By Alan Wooten
The Center Square

Alabama could soon have a congressional map in place that would offer the chance for a Republican gain of seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday overturned an order to use a court-mandated House map until the next appropriation following the 2030 census. That map created two districts with a majority of Black voters.

The Legislature, in 2023, drew a map that had one district with majority Black voters. It’s possible the state could revert to that map in the wake of Monday’s ruling.

The actions are within the vacuum from the historic high court decision involving Louisiana’s maps. Alabama’s representation in the U.S. House is five Republicans and two Democrats.

In Louisiana v. Callais, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled authority to alter districts that would guarantee the race – any race – of an elected representative is not given through the Constitution or Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It was in keeping with several other opinions, including a 2007 Seattle voluntary school integration case for which Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “The way to stop discriminating on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.”

The state had anticipated the Supreme Court decision, including on Friday enacting legislation allowing for the void of next Tuesday’s primary for some congressional districts. The state requested an expedited ruling from the bench.

In a statement, state Attorney General Steve Marshall said, “Today, the Supreme Court vindicated the state’s long-held position. Now, the power to draw Alabama’s maps goes back to the people’s elected representatives. That’s our Legislature.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in dissent, said a lower court could still find the state discriminated against Black voters.

The U.S. House was divided 220 Republicans, 215 Democrats following the 2024 election cycle. Today, it’s 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one independent formerly Republican, and five vacancies.

New maps are in play for the 2026 elections in California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. Litigation has also led to changes in Utah.

Louisiana is expected to have new maps as well.

Litigation is not fully resolved for Florida, Virginia, Georgia and New York. Maryland’s bid for new congressional maps died in April without making it out of a Legislature with majority Democrats in each chamber.

Tennessee and South Carolina are also in various stages of consideration for new maps this midterm cycle.

Maryland’s bid for new congressional maps died in April without making it out of a Legislature with majority Democrats in each chamber.