Supreme Court Ruling: Alabama's Voting Maps in Turmoil

0:00It's April 29th. This is Birmingham News Today, driven by AI. The Supreme Court just dropped the 6-3 ruling in Louisiana versus Calais, saying states can't use race when drawing voting districts. It's unconstitutional under the Voting Rights Act and the 14th and 15th Amendments. Bottom line, maps got to be race neutral to avoid creating or diluting minority votes. This hits home in Alabama, where the state's 2023 congressional map got tossed by a federal panel for violating those same laws. A court-appointed expert redrew it, handing Democrats a pick-up in District 2 for the 2024 elections, with Rep. Shamari figures winning. There. Alabama's still fighting that in court. Republicans are fired up. Attorney General Steve Marshall called it a game-changer. No more racial gerrymandering. House pro-tim, Chris Pringle says the state got vindicated and folks like Senator Tommy Tuberville, Rhett Berrymore, and former Rhett Moe Brooks are pushing Governor Kay Ivey for a special session to redraw maps fast, maybe even trigger a special election.

1:05Democrats aren't happy. Rep. Terry Sue will blast it as a death now for the Voting Rights Act, saying it weakens minority voices and helps suppress votes. She wants Congress to step up with new protections. Experts like Adam Concaid from the Republican Redistricting Trust are watching close, expecting Supreme Court orders on Alabama as early as Monday. This could flip seats and reshape the House, but Alabama's next moves would decide how quick things change. Stay tuned as it unfolds.