Federal court blocks Alabama GOP bid to revive map judges called 'tainted by discrimination'

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: In a setback to state Republicans, the Federal Court of Alabama on Tuesday, May 26, unanimously refused to allow them to use their 2023 GOP-friendly congressional map, which could have helped Republicans in midterms in November.

The three-judge bench, two of whom were appointed by President Donald Trump, concluded that the high court's recent ruling on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act has no bearing on this case, in which lower courts found that the 2023 map represents a constitutional violation.

Alabama tried to move ahead with the map, which was considered more favorable to Republicans, because state officials believed that the Supreme Court ruling gave them permission or stronger legal grounds to do so.

"Ultimately, we cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination," the judges wrote in their ruling.

Court asks Alabama to move forward with 2024 map

For now, Alabama will have to use the 2024 congressional map. However, the court said lawmakers are still free to try passing a new district map, even at this late stage.

In 2024, Alabama was ordered to use a congressional map that included two districts where Black voters made up the majority population. One of those districts elected Democrat Shomari Figures.

But after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Louisiana case, some Alabama Republicans believed they could change the map again. Because of that legal fight, the state delayed some House elections, while others still took place on May 19 as planned.

Shomari Figures says 'long way to go' before fight is settled

The 2023 map was expected to potentially help Republicans flip Figures' seat in November. Shomari Figures told ABC that he also expected further legal battles. "I am pleased with the Court's decision, but this case is still not over," Figures said.

"Although we expected the Court to reach this decision given the overwhelming evidence, we fully expect the State to immediately appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. This is a significant step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go before this fight is settled," he added.

Alabama AG expresses disappointment over decision

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he is "disappointed" by the decision and said there will be an appeal effort.

"I am disappointed, but not at all surprised, that the three-judge panel has again struck down Alabama’s blandly unobjectionable congressional map that has been in place for decades," Marshall said in a statement.

"I find nothing in the US Supreme Court’s vacatur order of May 11 that would provide a basis for this outcome; thus, we will immediately appeal this decision to the Supreme Court," Marshall added.

"This is a very fluid situation, and I will do my best to keep the People of Alabama apprised of our efforts. Know this—in my mind, it is not a matter of whether we win this case, only when,” he said.