Supreme Court Lifts Injunction Blocking Alabama's Congressional Map with One Majority-Black District

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday set aside lower court rulings that had prevented Alabama from using a congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers in 2023. The map contains one majority-Black district, and the decision allows the state to proceed with that map while legal challenges continue. The order potentially clears the way for the map to be used in upcoming elections.

The dispute stems from a protracted legal battle over Alabama's congressional boundaries. Following the 2020 census, the state legislature adopted a map with one majority-Black district out of seven. A federal district court ruled that the map likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting strength and ordered the creation of a second majority-Black district or something close to it. The Supreme Court affirmed that ruling in June 2023 in Allen v. Milligan.

In response, Alabama lawmakers approved a new map in July 2023 that again included only one majority-Black district, while increasing the Black voting-age population in a second district to about 40 percent. The same three-judge district court blocked that map, finding that it did not remedy the likely Voting Rights Act violation and that the state had defied the court's order. The state appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the lower court had overstepped by requiring a second majority-Black district and that the new map complied with the law.

The Supreme Court's brief order on Monday granted Alabama's application to stay the district court's injunction, effectively allowing the 2023 map to take effect for now. The order did not provide a detailed explanation, and no dissents were noted. The Hill reported that the decision could permit the map to be used for the midterm elections. The Washington Examiner noted that the action came weeks after the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district in a separate case.

From a left-leaning perspective, CBS News highlighted that the lower court had blocked the map because it contained only one majority-Black district, and the Supreme Court's intervention set aside those decisions. The outlet emphasized that the map was drawn by Republicans and that the legal fight centers on representation for Black voters.

Right-leaning outlets framed the decision as a victory for Alabama and Republicans. The Washington Times stated that the Supreme Court erased a lower court ruling that had stood in the way of Alabama redrawing its lines, giving a boost to Republicans who sought to eliminate districts that have long favored Democrats. The Washington Examiner reported that the ruling cleared the way for Alabama officials to redraw their congressional map, noting the prior Louisiana decision.

The case is part of a broader national battle over redistricting and the Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court's order does not resolve the merits of Alabama's map; it only lifts the injunction while appeals proceed. The map with one majority-Black district will likely be used for the 2024 elections unless further court action intervenes.

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