Story perspectives

Supreme Court Clears Alabama Redistricting, Activists Warn Racial Impact

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court vacated an injunction after its Louisiana v. Callais decision that gutted Section 2 of Voting Rights Act, letting Kay Ivey schedule election for four districts.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, saying the Court ignored racial discrimination.
Black Voters Matter held a “We Got Us” tour in Alabama; groups urged state Voting Rights Acts and warned the ruling will harden map challenges.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed the 1965 Voting Rights Act to end Jim Crow voting barriers, mandating preclearance for discriminatory jurisdictions. The Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision invalidated Section 4(b), ending preclearance and leading to nearly 1,000 polling-place closures within five years. In 2024 the Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling revived Section 2 challenges, allowing Governor Kay Ivey to redraw four districts despite NAACP opposition.

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Story summary

Supreme Court vacated an injunction after its Louisiana v. Callais decision that gutted Section 2 of Voting Rights Act, letting Kay Ivey schedule election for four districts.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, saying the Court ignored racial discrimination.
Black Voters Matter held a “We Got Us” tour in Alabama; groups urged state Voting Rights Acts and warned the ruling will harden map challenges.

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