Alabama Republicans Pass Controversial Redistricting Bills Amid Voter Backlash

Alabama Republicans passed two redistricting bills on Friday, defying objections from Democrats and protesters who gathered at the state Capitol to voice their disapproval. Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed the legislation into law the same day, which would redraw the state Senate map and allow for new congressional primaries if the Supreme Court lifts an injunction against drawing new congressional maps before 2030. Voters had already begun casting ballots in this year’s primaries.

Protesters filled the state Capitol on Friday, shouting their disapproval of both bills. At one point, debate in the House was halted. During the debate, Democratic state Representative Chris England, who is Black, criticized the move, saying:

"And I know we are going to redistrict here at some point, and we are going to look at some of the census data, and you are going to look at some of the people in this room, you are going to look at me in the face, you are going to shake my hand, say everything nice, and you are going to redraw my district so I can’t come back."

England and other Democrats highlighted Alabama’s history of segregation and voter suppression as reasons to oppose the bills. However, Alabama Republicans remained undeterred by the backlash.

In a statement following the signing of the legislation, Governor Kay Ivey said: "Alabama now stands ready to quickly act, should the courts issue favorable rulings in our ongoing redistricting cases."

The move follows the Supreme Court’s decision last week in Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened the Voting Rights Act and prompted Republican-led states across the South to initiate redistricting efforts aimed at diluting majority-Black districts. However, Alabama Republicans’ congressional redistricting effort may conflict with this ruling, according to the ACLU of Alabama.

The ACLU of Alabama announced plans to file a lawsuit, stating:

"For several years now, the court has been consistent: Alabama violated the 14th Amendment by intentionally discriminating against Black voters in its congressional and legislative maps. The Callais opinion even agrees."

ACLU of Alabama Director JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist made the statement.