Democrats lambasted Republicans for disregarding a directive from a three-judge panel that insisted on two districts where Black voters comprise a voting-age majority or something quite similar. “There was no intention in this building to comply with their court order,” stated state Rep. Chris England, a Tuscaloosa Democrat.
The Aftermath of the 2020 Census
Following the 2020 census, Alabama implemented a congressional map featuring just one Black majority district out of its seven, despite Black voters making up 27% of the state’s population. This map was invalidated when a three-judge federal district court found it likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, as it offered Black voters “less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress.”
The court directed Alabama to redraw its map to provide Black voters a fair opportunity to elect their preferred candidate. State GOP lawmakers have defended the redrawn lines, asserting that they provide the opportunity for minority voters to elect a representative of their choice in two districts. However, voting rights advocates dispute this claim based on models using the three map version finalists.
Future Prospects
Despite the uproar, state GOP lawmakers displayed interest in the remedial map drawing process, with support from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California and Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Those who challenged the current map pledged to combat the new version too. They have until July 28 to submit their objections. The state then has until August 4 to respond, followed by a federal court hearing on August 14 to consider the objections.
