Legislature readies for SCOTUS redistricting decision
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Alabama lawmakers are preparing for a possible Supreme Court decision to lift a federal injunction blocking the state from using congressional maps that were found to violate the Voting Rights Act.
Why it matters: The decision could have big impacts on elections this year, potentially turning two Alabama congressional districts from blue to red.
Catch up quick: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed three emergency motions last week following the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, asking SCOTUS to vacate lower court rulings against its 2023 legislative maps and send them back for reconsideration.
- Gov. Kay Ivey then called a special session that convened Monday to consider bills to prepare for a SCOTUS decision.
How it works: One of those, House Bill 1, would authorize new special primary elections for the 1st, 2nd and 7th congressional districts and would allow the governor to invalidate the results of the May 19 primary if the SCOTUS decision comes after that time.
- That would likely mean six Republicans and one Democrat representing the state in the U.S. House, according to Alabama Daily News.
- Senate Bill 1 effectively sets the same process for state Senate Districts 25 and 26, in Elmore and Montgomery Counties.
State of play: Reverting to the state's 2023 maps isn't the only route the state could follow because bills have also been filed in the state Senate to redraw the maps entirely.
What we're watching: This all depends on action by the Supreme Court, as well as when that decision comes, with the primary election less than two weeks away.