POLITICS

Southern states move to redraw congressional districts after ruling

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Birmingham, Alabama. On Monday Democratic leaders including Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Senator Cory Booker held a town hall at the Boutwell Auditorium to push back against Alabama’s special legislative session on redistricting called by Gov. Kay Ivey following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision altering race-based guidance for congressional maps. This week state Republican legislators in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina convened special sessions or announced plans to redraw districts; federal judges had ordered a temporary court map in Alabama through the 2030 Census while legal appeals and public protests intensified, and activists warned that proposed changes could reduce majority-Black districts ahead of November.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Supreme Court issues ruling limiting race-based considerations in districting, altering prior Voting Rights Act interpretations.
Federal judges order Alabama to use a court-selected map including a second Black-leaning district through the 2030 Census.
Governors and state legislatures in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and Louisiana call or plan special sessions to redraw maps.
Democratic officials hold town halls (Birmingham) and protesters gather at state capitols (Nashville) to oppose proposed maps.
States file or prepare legal appeals and contingency plans as the litigation and political debates continue ahead of midterm elections.

Why This Matters to You

Redistricting can shift political power, affecting your rights and community. It can impact who represents you, the laws they pass, and funding for local projects. Stay informed by checking your state's redistricting plans online.

The Bottom Line

The fight over redistricting is heating up, with potential impacts on majority-Black districts and the balance of power. As the legal battles continue, the final maps could shape the political landscape for the next decade. Worth forwarding if you know someone in these states.