Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that the state will conduct a special primary election on August 11 for the districts affected by the state's 2023 congressional map. The announcement comes one day after the Supreme Court's decision to lift the block on Alabama’s previous congressional map, sending it back to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in light of Louisiana v. Callais.
The majority did not provide an opinion on the ruling of Allen v. Caster. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, opposing vacatur and remand to a lower court, arguing that it will replace the current map with Alabama's 2023 congressional map regardless of whether voting has begun.
"That is because Alabama’s congressional primary election is next week, and vacating the District Court’s injunction will immediately replace the current map with Alabama’s 2023 Redistricting Plan until the District Court acts, even though voting has already begun," Justice Sotomayor said in the dissent.
The dissent also stated that Louisiana v. Callais did not overrule Allen v. Milligan, meaning it is still good law. The dissenting Justices argued that Alabama's 2023 map was ruled as intentionally discriminatory by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, and that its argument would remain regardless of the Voting Rights Act. This is because the District Court ruled that Alabama intentionally violated the 14th Amendment after not complying with court orders to create another opportunity district, leading to a special master redrawing the map. Because of this, Sotomayor and the other dissenting Justices believe Callais is not relevant since it says "not a word" on 14th Amendment intentional-discrimination claims.
The 2023 Alabama-drawn congressional map will eliminate one of the state's two majority-Black congressional districts. The district was previously held by Shomari Figures, a Black Democrat. Figures released a statement following the Supreme Court's decision.
"This is an incredibly unfortunate decision by the Supreme Court that not only continues their trend of breaking from the norms and precedents set by the Court, but also sets the stage for Alabama to go back to the 1950s and 60s in terms of Black political representation in the state. The conservative justices on the Supreme Court just literally substituted themselves in to be the defense lawyers for the State of Alabama [...]," Figures said in a statement. “This Supreme Court did not dismiss the case, so the litigation will certainly continue. My hope is that this is a temporary setback and that three Republican-appointed judges will again find what they found the first time: that the State of Alabama intentionally discriminated against Black voters in drawing its congressional district lines."
Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 will participate in the special election on August 11 for certain congressional races. According to Secretary of State Wes Allen, votes cast in those congressional races on May 19 will be made public, but in agreement with Act 2026-612, will be void "for purposes of determining the party nominee."
For those voting in the August 11 special primary election, those votes will decide statewide constitutional offices, local races, state legislative and judicial races, as well as statewide constitutional amendments, according to Allen.
Ivey released a statement Tuesday in support of the Supreme Court's ruling, calling it "plain common sense."
"I will continue to say: Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best. The United States Supreme Court's decision is plain common sense and enables our values to be best represented in Congress," Ivey said. "For years, we have fought for this outcome, and I am proud to celebrate this win for Alabamians."
The 2023 Alabama-drawn congressional map. Photo contributed by the Office of Governor Kay Ivey.
Voters in the affected congressional districts are still encouraged to vote in the primary election on May 19 for races not included in the special primary election.
“Alabamians now have another opportunity to send strong voices to Washington to fight for our values, and I encourage them to get out and vote in this special primary election on August 11. I also urge them to head to the polls this coming Tuesday, May 19 to vote in all other races. We are experiencing strong momentum in Alabama, and I am very optimistic for our future," Ivey said in a statement on Tuesday.
Allen held a press release on Tuesday regarding the state's adjusted elections, including which races will be decided in the special primary election.
"Here is what I want every Alabama voter to remember: Go vote on May 19. Votes for statewide constitutional offices, local races, state legislative and judicial races, as well as statewide constitutional amendments will count on May 19. If you live in Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 or 7, your vote for those races on August 11 will decide those races," Allen said.
Lee County will not be affected by the 2023 congressional map, with primary elections scheduled for May 19.
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Amanda Machamer, senior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2025. Machamer previously served as a News Writer, Assistant News Editor and Assistant Content Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
