Alabama’s revised congressional map faced scrutiny from federal judges on Monday, who questioned whether state lawmakers had ignored their instructions to create a second majority-Black district. The judges are weighing whether to approve the map or intervene and redraw districts themselves. The hearing stems from a U.S. Supreme Court decision that found Alabama’s previous map, which had only one Black-majority district out of seven, likely violated voting rights laws.
Plaintiffs in the case argued that the new plan, with only one majority-Black district, still discriminates against Black voters, going against the court’s earlier finding that two such districts were necessary. The judges pressed Alabama’s lawyer on whether the state had deliberately disregarded their directive.
Alabama’s Solicitor General, Edmund LaCour, defended the redrawn map, stating it was as close as possible to creating a second majority-Black district without violating the Constitution. He accused the plaintiffs of seeking a “racial gerrymander.”
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs contended that Alabama chose defiance over compliance, accusing the state of maintaining a status quo where white voters’ preferences overshadow those of Black voters. They highlighted the lack of change for Black voters under the new map.
Alabama Republicans, holding a legislative majority, increased the percentage of Black voters in a majority-white district. The party has been hesitant to create a Democratic-leaning district.
The hearing drew significant attention, with plaintiffs wearing T-shirts displaying their proposed map featuring two majority-Black districts. The state’s current political landscape is largely dominated by white Republicans.
The judges have yet to indicate when they will make a ruling, and the outcome carries high stakes for both Alabama’s political landscape and the interpretation of the Voting Rights Act.
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