Story perspectives

Alabama Law Shifts 2026 Primary, Lowers Black Vote Share

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Alabama enacted a law to replace May 19, 2026 primary with a primary if courts approve a Republican map.
Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill on May 8, 2026, after the legislature passed it on a party-line vote.
The law would let 2023 map lower Black voting-age share in 2nd district from 48% to 39%.
Lawmakers Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Al.) and Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Al.) condemned measure as a voting-rights rollback protesting outside Statehouse.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by Lyndon B. Johnson, banned literacy tests and mandated federal preclearance for changes in discriminatory jurisdictions. After the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision ended preclearance, Alabama’s 2024 redistricting bill—signed by Governor Kay Ivey and opposed by Rep. Shomari Figures and Sen. Rodger Smitherman—requires DOJ review of maps that would change the Black-voting-age share, 38 % in 13 covered areas.

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Story summary

Alabama enacted a law to replace May 19, 2026 primary with a primary if courts approve a Republican map.
Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill on May 8, 2026, after the legislature passed it on a party-line vote.
The law would let 2023 map lower Black voting-age share in 2nd district from 48% to 39%.
Lawmakers Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Al.) and Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Al.) condemned measure as a voting-rights rollback protesting outside Statehouse.

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