Alabama is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to approve a new congressional voting map for the state. The request comes after a recent Supreme Court ruling weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act.
State officials argue the decision allows them to abandon the current district map. They believe the ruling provides legal grounds to adopt a different configuration for the state’s seven House seats.
The current map was previously struck down for diluting the voting power of Black residents. A lower court had ordered Alabama to draw a second district where Black voters could elect their preferred candidate.
The new map proposed by Alabama officials does not include such a district. Critics say the proposal fails to address the original violations of the Voting Rights Act.
The Supreme Court’s earlier ruling changed the standard for measuring racial discrimination in voting maps. That shift has encouraged several states to revise their existing district lines.
Civil rights groups oppose Alabama’s request. They argue the proposed map would still undermine minority representation in the state.
The Supreme Court now must decide whether to intervene. Its decision could set a precedent for voting map disputes across the country.
