Overview
- A federal panel concluded Alabama's 2023 congressional map intentionally diluted Black voting power, violating the Voting Rights Act.
- The court permanently barred the use of the state-drawn map and ordered continued use of a court-drawn plan that enabled the election of two Black representatives in 2024.
- Judges criticized Alabama's legislature for deliberately defying court orders to create a second majority-Black district, despite Black residents comprising 27% of the population.
- The ruling opens the possibility of subjecting Alabama to Section 3 preclearance, requiring federal approval for future redistricting plans.
- This decision highlights Alabama's history of voter discrimination and could set a precedent for protecting minority voting rights in other states.