The Special Session

Article by Murray Edwards, Alabama Politics

On Friday, July 21st the Alabama Legislature wrapped up the Special Session to address the SCOTUS ruling on Alabama’s Congressional District maps.

Led by the Republican majority, a new Congressional map was voted on, passed, and sent to Governor Ivey for her signature.

Did it accomplish what was required by the courts? It’s according to who you ask. 

Yes, as far the Republican members are concerned, an unequivocal no coming from the Democratic side of aisle.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the Alabama Congressional Districts violated the Voting Rights Act. It further stated that a new map should be drawn whereby would there were two majority Black districts, or something “quite close to it.” 

One of the initial maps, of the some nearly 100 maps submitted, would have split District 2, and expanded District 1 across the wiregrass, thus setting up the situation where Congressmen Barry Moore and Jerry Carl could potentially face each other in the upcoming 2024 election cycle as to who would represent the new District 1. 

It would have opened the door for a Democratic candidate to be positioned to win District 2 and set the House seats to 5 Republican and 2 Democratic, that is, if the election went in the direction that the Alabama Democrats desired.

However, that is not the map that was finally agreed on. 

The new map reshapes District 2 to take in all of Montgomery County and increases the black voters from the mid-30 percent range to around 40 percent and reduces District 7 black voters from 58 percent to approximately 50 percent.

The new map splits Lauderdale County between District 4 and splits Tuscaloosa County between District 4 and District 7 as well as small portions of Elmore, Covington and Conecuh Counties will now fall into new Districts.

It also maintains District 2 and District 1 separation and would prevent the current two incumbents from facing off in the 2024 election.

What it doesn’t do is guarantee that there would be 2 Democratic House Districts as the Democratic caucus wanted. It does provide the opportunity for potential Democratic candidates to be competitive in the newly designed District 2. 

Representative Chris Pringle has stated that he believes the map will comply the Voting Rights Act and comments made to The Associated Press, “we’ve drawn a district that provides an opportunity for the minorities to elect a candidate of their choosing.”

But according to Democratic Alabama Representative Barbara Drummond “This is a slap in the face not only to Black Alabamians, but to the Supreme Court.” 

The new map is already under attack as a Federal Court has rejected a motion by Joe Reed and NAACP commented “In this moment, it is up to our federal courts to protect Black voters and also to protect their own authority here.”

It can be assumed that further legal action will be taken by groups not pleased with the outcome.