Alabama Republicans ask Supreme Court to allow congressional map found racially discriminatory by lower court

Key Points:

• Alabama Republicans have asked the Supreme Court to allow the use of their 2023 congressional map, which favors the GOP, after a district court ruled it racially discriminatory and ordered a court-approved map with two majority-Black districts for upcoming elections.
• The district court found the 2023 map, with only one majority-minority district, intentionally discriminated against Black voters, violating the Constitution, and replaced it with a map enhancing Black voting power for the 2024 elections.
• Alabama officials argue the 2023 map is lawful and warn that using the court-drawn map would cause irreparable harm by forcing voters to participate under a racially gerrymandered plan that does not meet the state's districting goals.
• The legal dispute follows the Supreme Court's recent weakening of a key Voting Rights Act provision, prompting several Southern states, including Alabama, to redraw congressional maps to strengthen Republican chances in House races.
• Alabama's redistricting battle is part of a broader GOP effort, encouraged by former President Trump, to reshape congressional maps in states like Texas, Florida, and Missouri for partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 elections.