MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A federal court has directed state lawmakers to redraw Alabama’s Senate district lines, citing violations of the Voting Rights Act that undermined the representation of Black voters near the state capital.
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco issued an order prohibiting the use of the current district map in the upcoming 2026 elections, mandating the creation of a new district in Montgomery where Black voters either hold a voting-age majority or come close to achieving that status. In her comprehensive 261-page ruling, Manasco emphasized that the redistricting plan must provide either an additional majority-Black Senate district in the Montgomery area or a district that allows Black voters a legitimate opportunity to elect their preferred candidate.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed in 2021, which argued that Alabama’s Senate district boundaries diluted the voting power of Black residents in both Huntsville and Montgomery. The lawsuit contended that Black voters in Montgomery had been concentrated into a single district, diminishing their electoral influence, while white voters were systematically moved into a separate district.
Though the court did not identify a Voting Rights Act violation in Huntsville, it recognized the potential for establishing an additional Black-majority district in Montgomery. The plaintiffs in the case included the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and a coalition of Black voters, with representation from the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights organizations.
Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, commented on the significance of the ruling. He stated that the decision reflects progress in combating injustice, while also emphasizing the need to address the lack of representation for Black citizens in Huntsville.
State Senator Steve Livingston, the majority leader in the Alabama Senate, acknowledged the mixed nature of the ruling, stating that the Senate would conduct a thorough review of the opinion before determining its next steps. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has not yet provided a public response, but the state may consider appealing the decision.
The congressional districting challenges faced in this case are reminiscent of ongoing legal battles that have historically influenced Alabama’s electoral map. The current ruling will modify the Senate districts around Montgomery but is not expected to substantially alter the Republican majority held across both legislative chambers. Presently, the Alabama Senate includes seven Black senators among its 35 members.
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