New Alabama Congressional District Map Blocked By Federal Judges

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama's new congressional district map will need to be redrawn, according to a ruling by federal judges Monday. The three-judge panel ruled that the state should have two districts in which Black voters are a sizeable portion of the electorate, according to NBC News.

The judges blocked use of the map and stayed the candidate qualification deadline with political parties from Friday until Feb. 11 to allow the Legislature the opportunity to enact a remedial plan.

"Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress," the panel wrote, ruling that plaintiffs are "substantially likely" to prevail on claims that the current districts violate the Voting Rights Act.

"We find that the plaintiffs will suffer an irreparable harm if they must vote in the 2022 congressional elections based on a redistricting plan that violates federal law," the ruling stated.

Alabama’s seven-member congressional delegation consists of six Republicans elected from heavily white districts and one Democrat — Rep. Terri Sewell — elected from the only majority-Black district.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office said the ruling will be appealed.