Alabama's Redistricting Battle: A Deep Red Vibe

0:00Alabama Republicans are pushing hard to redraw the state's seven congressional districts after a Supreme Court ruling last month in a Louisiana case. Right now, those districts send five Republicans and two Democrats to Congress, but folks like Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth say the map's dome. Match Alabama's deep red vibe. The High Court's decision rolled back some voting rights act protections, opening the door for changes, though it won't hit Alabama directly or right. Away. Earlier this year on April 29th, the justices said Louisiana couldn't draw to majority. Black districts because it discriminated against white. Voters. That's different from Alabama's own battles, like the 2023 Allen V. Milligan ruling that forced a redraw and got to black. Representatives elected for the first time. Appendix the Supreme Court challenge from Alabama could shake things up more. Democrats are sounding alarms, calling it a threat to fair representation for black voters.

1:00Reps like Terry Soule and show Marie Figures warn Republicans might rig the maps next. On the flip side, GOP leaders like Attorney General Steve Marshall and Rep Barry Moore want districts based on communities, not race, to lock in more, Republican seats. Governor Kay Ivey shed down calls for a special session this year, so the current maps stick around at least through the 2026 elections. Primaries are set for May 19th, general on November 3rd, and nothing changes those ballots. A three-judge panel just ruled Alabama can't revert to old maps until after the 2030 census. Meanwhile, other southern states like Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee-I similar moves, putting up to 12 Democratic House seats at risk. Alabama's fight heads back to the Supreme Court, keeping the power balance on edge as both sides gear up for what's next. This has been Birmingham News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story.