Alabama Senate Passes Gerrymander Targeting Black Voters Amid Active Primary

TL;DR Alabama senators voted to adopt a gerrymandered congressional map that would dilute Black voting power, even though absentee ballots for the ongoing primary have already been cast. The plan is blocked by a court injunction that mandates use of a court‑ordered map until 2030 unless federal judges lift the restriction.

Context The vote occurred Friday as voters across the state began submitting absentee ballots for the May 19 primary. Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill immediately, alongside a separate measure redrawing state senate districts. Alabama is currently bound by a legal agreement that forces the state to use a court‑drawn congressional map through 2030; any new map can only be implemented if a federal injunction is removed.

Key Facts - The Senate’s approved map was drawn to reduce Black voter influence and disrupt the active primary election, despite absentee voting already underway. - During debate, Senator Rodger Smitherman (D) said Republicans were seeking to "destroy Black people’s whole existence" for political gain. - The new gerrymander cannot take effect until a court injunction is lifted; the state must continue using the court‑ordered map through 2030 unless the injunction is removed.

What It Means If federal courts lift the injunction, Alabama could replace the court‑ordered map with the legislature’s version, which critics argue would diminish Black representation in Congress. The timing raises concerns about voter confusion, as absentee ballots are already in circulation and a potential special primary could be called if the map is allowed. Legal challenges are expected, and the outcome will determine whether the state can implement the new districts before the 2024 general election.

What to watch next: Federal court rulings on the injunction and any subsequent moves to halt or proceed with the contested map.