Alabama Republicans approve plan for new primaries if courts allow GOP-friendly map
Key takeaways
- The legislation would have no effect unless the courts reverse a previous ruling requiring Alabama to have a second district where Black voters make up close to a majority — a decision that ultimately led to Rep.
- If the courts reverse the decision, the bill authorizes the governor to ignore the May 19 primary date for certain districts and hold a new special election.
- As the bill was signed into law on Friday, Alabama asked the Supreme Court to intervene and issue an emergency order clearing the way for the 2023 map to take effect.
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
The legislation would have no effect unless the courts reverse a previous ruling requiring Alabama to have a second district where Black voters make up close to a majority — a decision that ultimately led to Rep. Shomari Figures s (D-Ala.) election in 2024.
If the courts reverse the decision, the bill authorizes the governor to ignore the May 19 primary date for certain districts and hold a new special election.
But now — after the Supreme Court last week declared Louisiana s map an illegal gerrymander — Republicans are hoping the courts will reverse the earlier decision and let the state implement a 2023 map, drawn up by Republicans, that a federal court previously rejected.