Supreme Court vacates order forbidding Alabama from redistricting its Congressional map

May 11, 2026 – WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Supreme Court voted to vacate a controversial decision blocking Alabama from implementing our 2023 Congressional districting map. This order to vacate, and Friday's historic signing of Republican contingency legislation makes it more likely that Governor Kay Ivey (R) will have the legal authority to call a new Republican and Democratic primary in congressional districts 1, 2, 6, and 7.

Adoption of the 2023 map – instead of the racially gerrymandered one drawn by the court appointed special master – effectively ends Congressman's Shomari Figures' (D-Mobile) district that elected him two years ago.

The 2023 Legislature map (if adopted) would make Mobile County whole and combines it with Baldwin County into one community of interest represented by one congress member in CD1 – as it has been for decades.

Similarly, the Legislature's map would make the Wiregrass whole again in CD2. Montgomery stays in CD2, but CD2 loses the city of Mobile. CD2 goes from about 48% Black to 28% Black.

This map would also change Districts 6 and 7. Congresswoman Terri Sewell's (D-Selma) district becomes slightly more competitive, but she is likely to hold on to her seat if she chooses to run in the special primary – if the governor chooses to enact the legislation she signed on Friday.

The three liberal justices dissented from the conservative majority's opinion

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, "Vacatur is thus inappropriate and will cause only confusion as Alabamians begin to vote in the elections scheduled for next week. wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The Supreme Court is not the final word on this. They have vacated the injunction preventing the state from redistricting before the 2030 Census, but the case now goes to the three-judge panel in Atlanta that created this issue for the state.

The state of Alabama will argue to the lower court judges that in the wake of Louisiana versus Callais that they should reconsider their ruling in the Allen v. Milligan case in which they found against the state of Alabama forcing their gerrymandered map on the state.

Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) released a statement on the new U.S. Supreme Court redistricting order

"Today, the Supreme Court granted my motion in a historic win for Alabama voters," Secretary Allen stated. "The May 19 Primary Election will proceed as scheduled. My Office will remain in close contact with the Governor's Office and the Attorney General's Office as this situation continues developing. I appreciate the hard work of Alabama's local election officials as we continue to work towards the administration of a secure, transparent, and accountable election.

Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court lifts the previous order requiring Alabama to use a congressional map containing two majority-Black districts. The Alabama Republica Party said this marks a major victory for constitutional governance and the rule of law.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Scott Stadthagen released a statement:

"“Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a major victory for the rule of law, the Constitution, and the right of states to govern themselves. The Voting Rights Act should never be twisted to justify unconstitutional race-based gerrymandering or federal overreach into the redistricting process. The Supreme Court made clear that fairness and equal application of the law matter, and that states like Alabama have the right to enact maps through the legislative process without being forced into race-driven mandates. This is a win for common sense, election integrity, and the people of Alabama.”

The ALGOP said that the ruling reinforces a principle Alabama Republicans have long defended: redistricting should be guided by fair and consistent constitutional standards - not race-based mandates imposed by federal courts. They said that the decision also aligns with broader efforts championed by President Donald JTrump and Republicans across the country to ensure the equal application of the law, protect election integrity, and push back against federal overreach in the election process. Together, these developments signal a shift toward a more balanced and constitutionally grounded approach to redistricting disputes nationwide.

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