Alabama election officials scramble to prepare for special primary: How to find out which district you are in

Alabama election officials are in a high-stakes race against the clock as they work to finalize voter reassignments ahead of the August 11 special primary. With a critical June 17 deadline looming, local authorities in 14 counties are updating records to align with the state's newly implemented congressional map.

The Race to the Deadline

Secretary of State Wes Allen’s office reports that the majority of the affected counties have successfully transitioned their voters into the correct districts for the August 11 special primary. However, Jefferson and Mobile counties are still finalizing their processes.

The June 17 deadline is significant because state law requires absentee voting to begin 55 days prior to the election. Furthermore, federal mandates require that absentee ballots be prepared and dispatched to uniformed service members and overseas voters no later than 45 days before the polls open. Officials are currently working to ensure all voter lists and ballots are ready for this transition.

Mapping a Complex Change

This transition follows a June 2 Supreme Court ruling that permitted Alabama to shift back to a Republican-favored congressional map, effectively voiding the results of the May 19 primary. The newly approved map affects four congressional districts: 1, 2, 6, and 7. There will be no runoff for the special primary, as the winners will be determined directly by the August results.

The redistricting efforts impact 40 counties, with 14 experiencing partial or full shifts between districts. Jefferson, Covington, and Elmore counties face the most significant logistical challenges, according to Jeff Elrod, the state's director of elections. For nine of the affected counties—Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lowndes, Monroe, and Washington—officials are utilizing mass change features to expedite the process.

Voter Guidance

As the state navigates this transition—replacing the previous court-drawn map used in 2024—voters in counties that have completed their reassignments can verify their current district by visiting the Secretary of State’s website. Residents should navigate to the elections tab and select the registration/update registration link to confirm their status.

The political implications are significant, particularly in District 2. While U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures currently holds the seat, Republicans are looking to reclaim it under the new map. Despite the challenges posed by the redrawn boundaries, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has affirmed its commitment to supporting Figures as part of its broader effort to regain control of the U.S. House.