Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey calls special session to redraw congressional map
David Zimmermann
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Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL) issued a proclamation Tuesday calling for a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional districts following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the matter.
The Supreme Court ruled on June 8 that Alabama’s current map likely violates the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed racial discrimination against black voters in 1965. Because the current map has only one congressional district with a black majority, the court decided black voters are at a disadvantage.
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Alabama has until July 21 to redraw its congressional map. The state legislature’s special session is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 17, giving them four days to propose and approve legislation.
“It is critical that Alabama be fairly and accurately represented in Washington. That is why I support the Alabama Legislature readdressing our congressional map in a special session beginning July 17,” Ivey said.
The Republican governor also noted that redistricting will be the only topic of discussion at the meeting.
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“It is of the utmost importance that this special session only address the congressional map and nothing else. The task at hand is too urgent and too important,” she said. “The Alabama Legislature has one chance to get this done before the July 21 court deadline. Our Legislature knows our state, our people, and our districts better than the federal courts or activist groups do.”
On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled similarly regarding Louisiana’s Republican-drawn congressional map, ordering the state to add another majority-black district. The Louisiana case was put on hold pending the outcome of the Alabama case’s decision.