Alabama appealing to Supreme Court after House map deemed unfair to Black voters rejected

Alabama is taking its fight over congressional district maps to the highest level. Attorney General Steve Marshall officially filed a notice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama this morning, signaling the state's intent to appeal a recent three-judge district court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Legal Battle Continues

The appeal comes after federal judges blocked the state from implementing a Republican-backed congressional map. The court determined that the map, passed by the Legislature in 2023, violated both the Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment by intentionally diluting the influence of Black voters. This ruling effectively puts a hold on the state's plans for an August 11 special primary election, which was originally authorized by the Legislature and Gov. Kay Ivey for congressional districts 1, 2, 6, and 7.

Republicans have been looking to reclaim District 2, which is currently held by U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, since he won the seat two years ago. For more background on this unfolding situation, read our previous coverage on 205focus.com regarding the block on Alabama's voting maps.

Reaction From State Leadership

Governor Kay Ivey expressed her firm stance following the judicial decision. “Alabama’s redistricting battle continues after federal judges temporarily blocked use of our 2023 congressional map,” Ivey said. She added that she fully supports Attorney General Marshall’s decision to elevate the case to the Supreme Court, maintaining her position that “Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best.”

Democratic Response

The ruling drew praise from former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the Democratic nominee for governor in the upcoming November election. Jones highlighted the composition of the court, noting that the panel included two judges appointed by President Trump. He described the ruling as a significant development, stating, “Today, a three-judge federal court panel... issued a preliminary injunction that would halt Montgomery Republicans’ scheme to hold new primary elections for certain congressional districts using maps that would dilute the voting power of Black voters.”

Jones added, “In their holding the court reaffirmed that those maps were intentionally ‘tainted by race-based discrimination.’ This decision is a win for democracy and fair representation, but the fight in the courts isn’t over.”