Alabama Legislative Redistricting Challenge

Lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of voters, Greater Birmingham Ministries and the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP challenging Alabama’s new state House and Senate districts passed following the release of 2020 census data. The complaint alleges that the predominant use of race during the redrawing process was not tailored to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) or any compelling government interest and it resulted in racially gerrymandered maps that “crack” and “pack” Black voters across legislative districts in order to prevent them from electing their candidate of choice. The plaintiffs also allege that certain legislative district boundaries were drawn using race as a predominant factor without any compelling interest (such as compliance with Section 2). In their second amended complaint, the plaintiffs also claim that the state Senate plan violates Section 2 of the VRA. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the maps unconstitutional and order the creation of new maps that address the challenged districts.

Previously, the case was paused pending the resolution of Allen v. Milligan. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Allen, this case is unpaused and litigation is ongoing. On Dec. 6, 2023, the plaintiffs filed a fourth amended complaint and dropped their challenge to the state House map. The lawsuit now only challenges the state Senate map under Section 2 of the VRA.

On Feb. 13, 2024, the court granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss the plaintiffs’ amended complaint. On Sept. 24, 2024, the judge denied the secretary of state’s motion for summary judgment. A trial was held in this case from Nov. 12 – 21, 2024.

On Aug. 22, 2025, the federal court ruled that Alabama’s state Senate map violates Section 2 of the VRA by diluting Black voting power in Montgomery. Alabama was ordered to draw a new compliant map. On Aug. 29, 2025, Alabama filed a notice of appeal with the 11th Circuit.

On Oct. 1, 2025, the court appointed a Special Master to draw a lawful map for Alabama’s 2026 state Senate elections. The appointment came after the Governor refused to call a special legislative session to redraw the map. The Special Master was ordered to submit a remedial plan by Oct. 24.

On Nov. 17, 2025, the court approved a remedial map for Alabama’s state Senate elections through 2030. On Nov. 21, 2025, Alabama appealed to the 11th circuit. An appeal in ongoing in the 11th Circuit.

STATUS: On May 4, 2026, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Callais, Alabama filed a motion asking the 11th Circuit to vacate the block on the 2021 state senate map. On May 11, 2026, the 11th Circuit denied Alabama’s motion to vacate and set a briefing schedule to proceed on the merits.

On May 19, 2026, Alabama filed an emergency motion to stay the injunction blocking the state from using the 2021 map.

On May 28, 2026, the 11th Circuit granted Alabama’s motion to stay, clearing the way for the state to use a racially discriminatory map taking away a majority-Black state senate district in the Montgomery area. On June 2, 2026, pro-voters asked the 11th Circuit to vacate the lower court’s now-stayed injunction and remand to the lower court for further proceedings in light of Callais.

Last updated: June 4, 2026 4:29 pm EST