Alabama splits U.S. House primaries after court ruling; SC redistricting stalls
Alabama will hold a special primary election for four congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the state to revert to a 2023 redistricting map, potentially benefiting Republicans. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s state Senate blocked a session extension to advance redistricting, stalling GOP efforts to redraw a Democratic-held House district.
Alabama’s congressional primaries will now split into two elections following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Monday. The Court vacated a lower court decision that had blocked Alabama’s 2023 congressional map, which included only one majority-Black district. Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, announced a special primary on August 11 for the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th districts, where the 2023 map will now apply. The 2nd and 7th districts are currently held by Black Democrats, while the 1st and 6th are Republican-held. The Court’s decision aligns with its recent Louisiana redistricting ruling, which weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act. Alabama’s Republican leaders argued the state best understands its own districts. Voting rights groups countered in a federal filing that reverting to the 2023 map—never implemented and with pending deadlines—harms public interest. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s redistricting efforts stalled after the state Senate rejected a proposal to extend the legislative session. Republicans had aimed to redraw the single Democratic-held House district, represented by Rep. Jim Clyburn, but the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Some Republicans opposed the move, fearing it could threaten safe GOP seats. The special election in Alabama follows the state’s regular primary on May 19, with absentee voting already underway. The redistricting disputes highlight broader tensions over voting rights and political representation ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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