Alabama Seeks Supreme Court Stay on Blocked 2023 Congressional Map in Redistricting Case

The state of Alabama has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in a dispute over its congressional district map, seeking permission to use its 2023 redistricting plan for the 2026 midterm elections. The request follows a ruling from a three-judge federal court panel in Birmingham that reaffirmed its earlier decision blocking the map, concluding that it unlawfully diluted Black voting power and amounted to intentional racial discrimination in violation of the Constitution. The panel determined that the map could not be used in upcoming elections, a ruling that marked a political and legal setback for state officials. The dispute centers on Alabama’s attempt to preserve a legislatively enacted districting plan that civil rights advocates and lower courts argue weakens the electoral influence of Black voters. The federal panel’s ruling came after it was instructed by the Supreme Court to reconsider the case in light of a recent high court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which addressed racial gerrymandering standards. Despite that guidance, the panel maintained its conclusion that Alabama’s map remained unconstitutional. In its emergency filing, Alabama urged the Supreme Court to pause the lower court’s order, arguing that the decision misapplied legal precedent and violated the Purcell principle, which discourages courts from changing election rules close to an election. The state contends that the Louisiana ruling supports its position and claims the lower court improperly interpreted constitutional protections. The case carries significant political implications, as redistricting battles continue to shape control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats have viewed the lower court ruling as a victory, while Republicans in Alabama seek to preserve their preferred map. The Supreme Court has been asked to decide on the stay request by June 1.