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Supreme Court Clears Alabama's 2023 Map, Sets August Primary

5/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision on May 11 that vacated a lower-court order, clearing the way for Alabama to reinstate its 2023 congressional map.
Governor Kay Ivey set an August 11 special primary for districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.
Attorney General Steve Marshall called the decision a major victory for Alabama voters.
Rep. Shomari Figures said the ruling was incredibly unfortunate and could roll back Black political representation.

History

Historical Context

The 1986 Supreme Court case Thornburg v. Gingles, decided 5-4, set three Section 2 preconditions for minority vote-dilution claims, later refined by Bartlett v. Strickland (2009) which required a minority majority in a district. Alabama’s 2023 congressional map, defended by Governor Kay Ivey and challenged by Rep. Shomari Figures, relied on those standards. A 2024 Court reversal now threatens the Gingles framework nationwide.

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Story summary

Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision on May 11 that vacated a lower-court order, clearing the way for Alabama to reinstate its 2023 congressional map.
Governor Kay Ivey set an August 11 special primary for districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.
Attorney General Steve Marshall called the decision a major victory for Alabama voters.
Rep. Shomari Figures said the ruling was incredibly unfortunate and could roll back Black political representation.

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