SUMMARY: After multiple court cases (including one that went to the U.S. Supreme Court) and a special legislative session, federal judges have finally selected a new congressional map for Alabama, creating a second district where Black voters comprise a substantial portion (48.7%) of the electorate. This map will be used in the 2024 elections.

MAP NO. 1: Every 10 years, states are required to redraw electoral district lines based on new census population data. These district lines determine the electoral boundaries for representation in Congress, state legislatures, and in many county and municipal offices. This process is called ‘redistricting.’ The Alabama Legislature passed these maps in 2021. However, shortly after they did so, multiple lawsuits were filed challenging the new congressional district lines. Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in and agreed that Alabama’s map — with one majority-Black district out of seven in a state that is 27% Black — likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court sent the case back to a three judge panel of federal judges and said the state should have two districts where Black voters have an opportunity to elect their preferred candidates.

MAP NO. 2: Instead of taking control of the process and drawing its own map, the federal court allowed Alabama lawmakers the chance to redraw a congressional new map consistent with these opinions. The Legislature obliged and, in a Special Session earlier this year, passed another map. Unfortunately, this map did not meet the guidelines of those prior opinions and only contained a single majority Black district. Finding the state failed to fix the Voting Rights Act violation, the three judge panel struck down the map and appointed a special master to draw new lines.

MAP NO. 3: Over the past month, the three judge panel heard arguments from the state and other parties regarding proposed maps that would comply with the Voting Rights Act and its previous opinions. After narrowing its selection to three options, the panel issued its final decision and the new Alabama map Oct. 7th. The new map significantly redraws district lines across the southern portion of the state and creates a second “opportunity district” where Black voters’ make up 48.7% of the voting population. Doing so also merged parts of District 1, which is currently held by Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and parts of District 2, which is currently held by Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise).