Redistricting: Alabama asks US Supreme Court to move quickly to allow GOP-favored primary map

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is pushing for an urgent intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting a ruling by June 1 to reinstate a GOP-favored congressional map for the upcoming special primary. The state is fighting to stay an injunction issued Tuesday by a three-judge district court that successfully blocked the use of the map passed by the Legislature in 2023.

The Battle for the Map

The high-stakes legal clash centers on the district court's assertion that the state's map likely violates both the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act by intentionally diluting Black votes. As a result of that ruling, the court mandated that Alabama continue using the court-drawn map that was utilized during the 2024 election cycle and the May 19 primary.

Republicans view the 2023 map as a crucial tool to reclaim District 2, a seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile. Figures' victory in 2024 made him the second Black representative and second Democrat in the state’s seven-member congressional delegation.

Emergency Appeal to Supreme Court

Marshall argues that the district court’s decision ignores recent precedents set by the Supreme Court, specifically citing the April 29 ruling in Louisiana vs. Callais. According to the Attorney General, the lower court’s injunction imposes irreparable harm on Alabama by disrupting election preparations and forcing voters to use a map he describes as a "racially gerrymandered" court-drawn plan that fails to meet state objectives.

Justice Clarence Thomas has signaled that the process is moving quickly, requesting responses to the state’s stay application by 4 p.m. EDT on June 1. The state has urged the court to provide a decision by 10 a.m. that day to maintain the timeline for the special primary election scheduled for August 11.

Election Preparations Continue

Despite the legal uncertainty, administrative steps for the election are shifting. Gov. Kay Ivey has extended the deadline for Secretary of State Wes Allen to certify the names of opposed candidates to probate judges, moving it from Friday to June 3.

"I am hopeful the Supreme Court quickly gives Alabama a favorable response so we can move forward with the August 11 Special Primary Election using our 2023 congressional map," Ivey stated. "We remain in close contact with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office as the appeal process plays out and as our elections approach us."

For ongoing updates on this case, follow 205focus.com’s coverage of Alabama redistricting.